Songkran 2559

Post by **macca46** » April 13, 2016, 4:12 pm

I have lived here for the the two and a half years and I have found out that Thai's do not like to walk after parking,wheel clamping at the hospital is not a deterrent they pay the fine rather than walk and of course there favorite saying "up to me" maybe the fines should be increased by 1000% or more maybe then maybe they will find out "not up to me"

Post by **Svein66** » April 13, 2016, 11:39 pm

After 2 of the 7 dangerous Songkran days, 116 people have been killed. 64 of those on the second day.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 83896.html

To compare a little. In Norway in 2015, there was a total of 118 killed on the roads in the whole year.

Post by **neeemu** » April 14, 2016, 2:38 am

Yeah but driving conditions in Norway aren't so challenging

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 14, 2016, 4:45 am

Was in Udon and Nong Prajak yesterday am - very quiet, but it was clear there was going to be far more happening later in the day with stages, sound systems being set up. But I do recall a time when completely around the lake was full of people chucking water about, pumps/piping feeding water out of the lake etc.
Went to see what was happening in UD Town.My young son had a whale of a time running about in Water Wonderland(or whatever it's called), booming music, grid chucking down water, foam machine. Many youngsters having fun. I imagine it gets rather more hairy and possibly problematical when the older contingent arrive in the evening.
Quite a few farang 'participating' around the corner in Prajak Rd and I'm sure the proximity of bars and girls had much to do with it. Perhaps I'm just an old fart, but rather embarrassed by the sight of oldish farangs stopping traffic.

Post by **Barney** » April 14, 2016, 9:05 am

My mob had a great time at the UD area yesterday afternoon and evening.
Were home by 9 and no problems. Lots of spray areas to get wet.

Post by **12345** » April 14, 2016, 9:19 am

Svein66 wrote:After 2 of the 7 dangerous Songkran days, 116 people have been killed. 64 of those on the second day.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 83896.html

To compare a little. In Norway in 2015, there was a total of 118 killed on the roads in the whole year.

Apples and orange...............there's more people (1.5 times) living in Bangkok metro than all of Norway. Rural living is so much safer than urban.........so self explanatory, though per 100k, sure Thailand is well above Norway on death count. Figure half the year, too damn cold to even venture outside, so a bit hard to have an accident on the roads.

Don't know what the obsession is with 'death counts' on holidays, as usually, though a bit more this year, but usually, it isn't much more than a normal week. Good for a headline I guess.

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 14, 2016, 9:48 am

12345 wrote: Don't know what the obsession is with 'death counts' on holidays, as usually, though a bit more this year, but usually, it isn't much more than a normal week. Good for a headline I guess.

Got to agree - I suppose the fact it is a big holiday period, the mass exodus/homecoming out of BKK and that it's actually meant to be a happy, fun time. Nobody commented on my earlier post, but using Wiki and WHO stats, the current toll is slightly less than average days in Thailand (difficult to believe?).

Post by **12345** » April 14, 2016, 10:13 am

Didn't see your earlier post, but yes, correct you are, and latest Wiki states, 66 per day, on average in Thailand for fatalities on the road. 24, 237 for 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... death_rate

Post by **Svein66** » April 14, 2016, 10:55 am

12345 wrote:Didn't see your earlier post, but yes, correct you are, and latest Wiki states, 66 per day, on average in Thailand for fatalities on the road. 24, 237 for 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... death_rate

Maybe the reason is that Thailand only counts those who dies at the scene, at least that`s what I`ve read several times over the years, and the Wiki stats includes people dying later?

Post by **Svein66** » April 14, 2016, 4:28 pm

65 killed yesterday (day 3 of 7):
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 83954.html

Total so far this year is 181. The same last year was 121, so the number of deaths has gone up 50%.
http://www.richardbarrow.com/2016/04/fu ... ent-311693

Today is the 4th day. Last year 70 people were killed on the roads that day.

Post by **parrot** » April 15, 2016, 4:42 pm

Svein66 wrote:
12345 wrote:Didn't see your earlier post, but yes, correct you are, and latest Wiki states, 66 per day, on average in Thailand for fatalities on the road. 24, 237 for 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... death_rate
Maybe the reason is that Thailand only counts those who dies at the scene, at least that`s what I`ve read several times over the years, and the Wiki stats includes people dying later?

I think that's starting to change. For example, in one of today's accident reports (https://www.facebook.com/udon.today.news/?fref=nf) there's mention of a Swiss man who was injured in the accident (involving 14 people in a pickup) but subsequently died in the hospital.

I've seen several similar reports recently.....perhaps a sign that reporting traffic deaths has changed.

Post by **samuel** » April 15, 2016, 7:08 pm

parrot wrote:...mention of a Swiss man who was injured in the accident (involving 14 people in a pickup) but subsequently died in the hospital.

a 51 year old swiss
RIP
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910 ... don-thani/

Post by **Svein66** » April 15, 2016, 7:15 pm

Svein66 wrote: Today is the 4th day. Last year 70 people were killed on the roads that day.

The number for the 4th day this year is 78. Again up from last year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 84020.html

Post by **parrot** » April 15, 2016, 7:19 pm

The TV link says he died at the scene.....but the fb link says he died at the hospital. Either way, sad news.

Post by **GT93** » April 16, 2016, 9:41 am

Do any of you guys enjoy Songkran? Sure it's a dangerous time of the year but it's also a time of great joy for many many Thais. There are happy families all over Thailand and particularly happy kids and old folks. It seems a special family time to me.

Many farang posters probably had Thai family members paying respect to them in the customary Songkran manner or may have done that to their in-laws. I enjoy those customs.

Post by **parrot** » April 16, 2016, 11:20 am

Enjoy it, GT. It's a big holiday for Thais......some expats just don't get it or they tire of it (same same with big holidays anywhere). My only suggestion: Don't let Uncle Somchai do any of the driving for you and 15 others packed into the back of a pickup truck. Looks like fun......but very dangerous.

Post by **neeemu** » April 16, 2016, 2:39 pm

I love it, brings families together and kids have lots of fun. Obviously it also attracts idiots but they're not exclusive to Songkran, go to nearly any concert or party and there'll be some young lads pissed up fighting or generally being anti social.

Post by **Nigglyb** » April 16, 2016, 4:45 pm

neeemu wrote:I love it, brings families together and kids have lots of fun. Obviously it also attracts idiots but they're not exclusive to Songkran, go to nearly any concert or party and there'll be some young lads pissed up fighting or generally being anti social.

Wise words =D>
Being idiotic is most definitely not exclusive to Songkran particularly when alcohol & crowds are involved. It can be in any country at any celebration of festival

Post by **macca46** » April 16, 2016, 5:06 pm

Did not worry to much about reading the full story but the death toll is up 35% over last year and still a bit over a day to go.

Will they ever learn????????????

Post by **tataw** » April 17, 2016, 5:52 am

338 dead and 2,891 injured.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ths-up-35-

Probably doesn't really reflect the true numbers which will be slightly higher but I don't see an end to the carnage when the vast majority of deaths are the result of motorbike accidents. I cannot think of anything more dangerous than driving on a motorbike at 50kph or more and being hit by a wall of water (in some cases I believe their is a small element who are deliberately trying to see if they can cause the rider to fall off) or to easily distracted as person/s rush from the side of the road to throw water over the rider. That and the large consumption of alcohol leads to the inevitable conclusion.

What used to be a wonderful festival has been relegated to unmitigated mayhem (my own opinion)