Midweek Rant: Seven deadly days – it’s just a Songkran smokescreen

[webfact]

Midweek Rant: Seven deadly days – it’s just a Songkran smokescreen

 

 

Every year it is just more of the same

 

BANGKOK: -- With two or three weeks to go before the Songkran festival every Tom, Dick and Somchai from every authority up and down Thailand comes crawling out of the woodwork to announce the latest gimmick for ending the carnage on the roads.

 

Whether it is impounding cars of drink drivers, threatening the convicted with horror trips to the morgue, the checkpoints, the bans on water throwing, blocking up the U-turns, the threats to actually enforce the law…..

 

Whatever. I have had it up to here.

 

Why?

 

Shouldn’t we be glad that the authorities are getting their collective fingers out and doing something to save lives at last?

 

Nonsense – it is just one almighty face-saving smokescreen.

 

Songkran – and to a slightly lesser extent New Year in December/January – are just the biggest of all Thai scapegoats when it comes to the disgraceful inactivity when it comes to improving road safety.

 

The police, the politicians, and the press that really connives with them with their daft statistics every – are all guilty of making it look as though the appalling carnage and mayhem on the roads is a problem specific to April and the turn of the year.

 

Figures might show it is slightly less horrendous than last year. So what does that prove?

 

Nothing. It almost hoodwinks the public into believing that something is improving. Something is being done.

 

Rubbish – it is just lip-service to the problem.

 

There is also this idea that if something is done at twice a year then the problem will somehow go away.

 

Well, it won’t.

 

It will just get shuffled under a Thai carpet of shame.

 

Everybody should all be reminded, constantly, that this is not something peculiar to drink and drug fuelled holidays – this is a national disgrace that is killing perhaps seventy to a hundred people every single day.

 

Not just the seven deadly days of Songkran. Not just the week at New Year. But every bloody, worthless day.

 

Children are dying. Adults are dying. Old people are dying. Rich and poor. Car drivers and motorcyclist. Thais and visitors alike are being mown down, killed and maimed virtually every few seconds.

 

I’m not here to offer any answers. You are paid to come up with the answers.

 

I’m just here to say stop treating the problem as a biannual phenomenon – and come up with some coherent strategy to deal with the situation.

 

A strategy that looks at 365 days a year. A strategy that puts a plan in place for the next five, then ten, then twenty years.

 

You owe it to the people who are dying at your hands. Sure, as the PM howled last week in his own rant the people are often to blame. But the people need your help. They need to be saved from themselves.

 

And the people sure as hell know that this is a nightmare they face every single day. On every single journey on the roads of the big cities or the lanes of the countryside.

 

Whether it’s 16,000 or 26,000 dead each year I know not. Whatever it is, it’s appalling.

 

What I do know is that this is a matter of the utmost national importance. It is your own flesh and blood. Your own “phee nong” you profess to care about. Your children’s own future.

 

So start taking it seriously each and every day of each and every month.

 

And stop patting yourself on the back for doing something about it once or twice a year.

 

Stop hiding behind the Smokescreen of Songkran or the New Year Scapegoat.

 

And get your fingers out.

 

Or you’ll all have the blood of a million deaths on your hands over the next half century.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-04-05

[Jessi]

Well written & spot on in every aspect....It is total carnage out there.

[Blackheart1916]

I don't think it can be said any better or clearer that that!!!

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, Jessi said:

Well written & spot on in every aspect....It is total carnage out there.

should be in Thai language and on major Thai forums and Facebook

[Sphere]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

And get your fingers out.

 

No good...if they still leave the heads in there. 

[captspectre]

I don't know who wrote this but he/she was SPOT on! it needs to be read by every Thai citizen and gov't official especially the PM! but it won't because the thai's are set in their backward ways and will  continue to kill each other daily. with all the "entitled" people getting away with murder, what do you expect.?

kudo's to the writer, hope he can keep out of jail.

 

[TheFishman1]

This year same as last year TITLES 

[pattayadgw]

I applaud the writer of this article... hit the nail right on the head!!   Have to agree with many of the comments already made particularly about having it translated to Thai and passed onto all national newspapers for publication.  I see todays news that FINALLY they are making riding in the back of pickups ILLEGAL... NOT BEFORE TIME!!

[upena]

Would also help if the Thai Government counted all deaths from accidents and not just those who die at the scene of the accident. Numbers would be way higher if they counted those who were rushed to the hospital and died hours later but these figures are not included in the Seven Deadly Days numbers

[eddie61]

As long as the police sell "indulgences" there is no hope for permanent improvement.

It is rather like the catholic church in 16th century Europe.

You only need to look at the glory of St Peter's  and the papacy to know that money flowed up through the system

The reformation was brutal, but that is what it took to change the system.

The Thai police force has many similarities to the pre-reformation catholic, and the only solution would be equally radical.

[MrJohnson]

Good piece. Well written. As with many issues in this country, all roads lead back to law enforcement. Thailand has plenty of laws relating to speeding, drink driving, tailgating, pedestrian crossings, running red lights etc. etc. Rarely enforced. Result - road carnage.

[Bangkok Barry]

26 minutes ago, pattayadgw said:

I applaud the writer of this article... hit the nail right on the head!!   Have to agree with many of the comments already made particularly about having it translated to Thai and passed onto all national newspapers for publication.  I see todays news that FINALLY they are making riding in the back of pickups ILLEGAL... NOT BEFORE TIME!!

Riding in the back of pickups is already illegal. All they are really saying is, for a change and until they can't be bothered again, they intend to enforce it. Which they won't because it would affect tens of thousands of people a day.

[ozterix]

1 hour ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

interesting stats. an average of 2500 americans/year dies during the vietnam war. 13 000 people die a year on thailands roads. thats over 5 times as many dieing on thailands roads per year.

Not sure where you got your stats from but different sources seem to indicate 70-80 a day, around 28000 a year with 70% on motorbike.

[Darren palmer]

Tougher action on the rules and laws of the roads would be a good place to start, i see every day people getting pulled over for no license, no helmets, to young to drive, no insurance , and what do the police do...... 400 baht fine and then you can drive away ? DRIVE away, still braking the law but its ok now as you have been fined , if you have no license, insurance, or are to young to drive the bike or car it should be impounded on the spot, if you have no helmet you should be made to go and buy one before getting you vehicle back, a cheap helmet here is 2 -300 baht its just common sense.

im not saying this would fix the problem but it would be a bloody good start.

 

[Lobber]

vereything is done half a55ed here in Thailand, and everyone thinks they have done a wonderfull face saving job.

[iang]

Agree completely & totally with everything written - and well written it is too.

 

In truth, every day on Thailand's roads is a dangerous day, it's just that some days are more dangerous than others!

 

The sad thing is that no one really seems to care & the selfish 'me first' driving attitude remains unchanged!

[stephenterry]

I do have some sympathy for the road cops. Here in CM there is a daily road block opposite my breakfast restaurant. One of many such blocks around the city. Each day I've been watching hundreds of motorbikes being pulled over in a two hour haul and queues of people paying a fine for whatever misdemeanor they've committed. 

 

And still the people continue to flout the law.  Whether it's no licence, no tax, no insurance, no lights, no helmet, they just cough up the fine and they're on their way. To enforce the law in the larger cities is like trying to push a pea uphill with your nose because only a small minority obey the law.

 

And on a slight tangent, some early mornings before dawn I set out for a walk around the park. The roads are dark, yet there are still some motorbike lunatics tearing along wearing dark clothes and without a rear light working. That is a serious illegality aand also a potential hazard and safety risk for the rider and other travellers. I mentioned this to one of the road block cops, and he said it's okay, they'll pick it up when he goes for his licence renewal. So they weren't checking for lights working. Good grief, no wonder so many road casualties.

 

I nearly said - and what if he causes a fatal accident in the meantime? No doubt the cop would just shrug.

 

 

 

 

[anon467367354]

29 minutes ago, ozterix said:

Not sure where you got your stats from but different sources seem to indicate 70-80 a day, around 28000 a year with 70% on motorbike.

The Thai police want you to think you have to ride in the blind spot of all other vehicles, as if that was the safe thing to do.

It's the laws that kill more than anything!

 

[Happyman58]

Thais dont care if they die on roads it just another days work for them Had an idiot pass me today in built up area 80 klms limit He was doing at least 140 lkms Where were the police? Oh thats right they start work at 6 It was 5.50 in morning Death toll Songhran 700 easy Cops non existant Have a good time guys 

[williamgeorgeallen]

28 minutes ago, Darren palmer said:

Tougher action on the rules and laws of the roads would be a good place to start, i see every day people getting pulled over for no license, no helmets, to young to drive, no insurance , and what do the police do...... 400 baht fine and then you can drive away ? DRIVE away, still braking the law but its ok now as you have been fined , if you have no license, insurance, or are to young to drive the bike or car it should be impounded on the spot, if you have no helmet you should be made to go and buy one before getting you vehicle back, a cheap helmet here is 2 -300 baht its just common sense.

im not saying this would fix the problem but it would be a bloody good start.

 

dont confuse enforcing the law with collecting revenue. the cops are self funded to the most part. if everyone obeyed the law they would go out of business then there would be no one to enforce the law which everyone would then break.

[stephenterry]

18 minutes ago, Darren palmer said:

Tougher action on the rules and laws of the roads would be a good place to start, i see every day people getting pulled over for no license, no helmets, to young to drive, no insurance , and what do the police do...... 400 baht fine and then you can drive away ? DRIVE away, still braking the law but its ok now as you have been fined , if you have no license, insurance, or are to young to drive the bike or car it should be impounded on the spot, if you have no helmet you should be made to go and buy one before getting you vehicle back, a cheap helmet here is 2 -300 baht its just common sense.

im not saying this would fix the problem but it would be a bloody good start.

 

 

i agree completely, including impounding for lights not working. But, and it's a big but, what might work in a village, small town won't be practical or feasible in large cities, because there's just too many people flouting the law. Every single day. Many of the young generation and old citizens just won't wear helmets, they put it in the basket and put it on at the road block. Picture a parking area chock-a-block with impounded motorbikes - a  nightmare to control.

 

Enforcement education is the only long-term solution. That's how Vietnam did it (I think). More motorbikes than Thailand in big cities, bikes everywhere even on the walkways - but everyone wearing a helmet.

 

 

[01322521959]

I applaud the writer of this article... hit the nail right on the head!!   Have to agree with many of the comments already made particularly about having it translated to Thai and passed onto all national newspapers for publication.  I see todays news that FINALLY they are making riding in the back of pickups ILLEGAL... NOT BEFORE TIME!!

Yes, now if they could also realise that dustbin men traveling on top of a dustbin truck is also illegal

Sent from my i-mobile_i-STYLE_219 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[maewang99]

we're not any different. 

nonsense is easy to do if you are illiterate.

these officials might actually believe what they say.

 

 

[Jiggo]

Flower'ery Shirts on Thais, time of year to go away tat tar, see you on the 20th.

[mikebell]

Continuing the rant traffic theme: I got my car back yesterday a mere 19 (nineteen!) weeks after my 'accident'.  This was caused by two youths ploughing into me at 90+kph whilst I was waiting to turn right at a U-turn.  The driver had no licence yet my insurance paid for medical treatment AND compensated them for some reason.  The boys are using this money to sue me for over 7 (seven) million!

The garage fixing my car tried to fob me off with a poor patch up - nearside rear light damaged/scorch marks on my leather upholstery and window film.  All caused AFTER the car was in their charge by their cutting/grinding machines.

On picking up the car we were given a chitty for new film which meant a tedious wait of three hours at a specialist film company. Service Thai style.

[stephenterry]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Continuing the rant traffic theme: I got my car back yesterday a mere 19 (nineteen!) weeks after my 'accident'.  This was caused by two youths ploughing into me at 90+kph whilst I was waiting to turn right at a U-turn.  The driver had no licence yet my insurance paid for medical treatment AND compensated them for some reason.  The boys are using this money to sue me for over 7 (seven) million!

The garage fixing my car tried to fob me off with a poor patch up - nearside rear light damaged/scorch marks on my leather upholstery and window film.  All caused AFTER the car was in their charge by their cutting/grinding machines.

On picking up the car we were given a chitty for new film which meant a tedious wait of three hours at a specialist film company. Service Thai style.

Ouch. 

[stephenterry]

21 minutes ago, 01322521959 said:

Yes, now if they could also realise that dustbin men traveling on top of a dustbin truck is also illegal

Sent from my i-mobile_i-STYLE_219 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Hey, you leave my dustbin men out of it. 

[Sydebolle]

The only drawback of this excellent article is the language!

Get this out in Thai language all over the place.

It will change nothing but whenever you attend the funeral rites of an employee, acquaintance, friend or neighbour you can refer to the fact that it is not a biannual but a daily thing to disobey law and order as a national sport which seems to go wrong sometimes. Sad, sad, sad. 

The biggest enemy of Thailand is the Thai people, their ignorance and their utter disrespect of everything which does not fit them 100%! 

[TKDfella]

I notice that BBC's J.H.  wrote something about this in January...I wondered whether it had something to do with his present situation...but I doubt anyone will take notice. While I agree with the OP, my opinion is that it is not a question of safety, consideration for others etc. I think it is a question of their overall culture...if it is one's time to die then it will be so. I know that other people think this also, destiny etc. but I think Thais take it to the extreme, helped on by their often misguided Buddhist philosophy. They truly believe they are 'free' to make a choice and that includes breaking the law. We have all seen that on the many threads here, and like the OP, I don't have an answer. That more Thais are able to buy cars etc only means to them that they have another item with which to  express their 'freedom'. I don't like being pessimistic but I think  even enforcement won't achieve much because the enforcers believe the same and how many posters here have said 'that in Thailand life is cheap' or words to that effect. Again, how many times have we read '[this or that] failure', 'it was the bad weather conditions', 'because of sharp bend in the road'...the list goes on and on.

The bottom line is responsibility...for actions, for vehicle maintenance, for observing traffic law and so on and imho things won't change until they appreciate what 'responsibility' really means.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, captspectre said:

I don't know who wrote this but he/she was SPOT on! it needs to be read by every Thai citizen and gov't official especially the PM! but it won't because the thai's are set in their backward ways and will  continue to kill each other daily. with all the "entitled" people getting away with murder, what do you expect.?

kudo's to the writer, hope he can keep out of jail.

 

I agree with the original post & this reply, it's a two way street.
Clear & concise laws of the road need to be drawn up by the government & hammered home at the driving institutions
The Thai public need to observe the laws of the road & practice safe driving.
Road markings, traffic signals crossings etc need to be clearly marked & observed.

Harsh penalties for offenders who break the law.

Eventually it might get through to all concerned.