The great holiday exodus

News > Local News

Published: 29 Dec 2012 at 00.07
Online news: Local News

The traffic jams have been building since Friday as all of Bangkok seemed to want to get out of the city for the New Year. A total of 71 people died in road accidents on the first two "dangerous days" of the holiday, while upcountry, cars are not being allowed into the two largest national parks.

A total of 38 people were killed and 504 injured in 495 road accidents nationwide on Friday, Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol, director-general of the Probation Department, reported on Saturday.

The casualties followed 33 fatalities on Thursday, the first day of the "seven dangerous days" road safety campaign over the New Year holidays, running from Dec 27 to next Wednesday.

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tony_n
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Discussion 17 : 29 Dec 2012 at 19.4717
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Why so much negativity about ploydonut's forward thinking ideas?

This is what we should encourage among young Thais.

How about we erect a similar fence around Pattaya to stop the drunk farangs from escaping. They won't be able to jump over or burrow underneath owing to their excess weight.

Btw is ploydonut really ex Bkk post sub-editor Steve Hands???
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Victor
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Discussion 16 : 29 Dec 2012 at 18.5916
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Instead of just showing just the number of road deaths each day it'd be a great service if BP could provide more details such as the type of vehicles, age and gender of the deaths/drivers, speed and road conditions, alcohol level of the people involved, etc.
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dao
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Discussion 15 : 29 Dec 2012 at 18.0215
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A new train system sure would be handy about now .Enjoy the traffic .
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rogiman
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Discussion 14 : 29 Dec 2012 at 17.0614
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Shuttle service in National Parks ? A SUPERB IDEA .
But it needs a frequent service,with many stopping -off points at the start and finshes of the trails,as well as at the main Visitor Centre.
Special Leaflet -or even volunteer guides to lead walk from 'bus'stop to another.It would help people realise you can do wonderful things without being slave of the car

Shuttle services have brought peace and beauty back to UK National Parks
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jck
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Discussion 13 : 29 Dec 2012 at 13.1513
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Disc # 9. Yes, Thailand likes its status symbols of which the most famous (or is it infamous), is the white elephant aircraft carrier. Not able to afford fuel fuel seems to be a common problem with cars and carriers in this category.
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Rab.Madar
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Discussion 12 : 29 Dec 2012 at 13.0012
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Disc 11, abbub. The free ride offers sound an excellent idea and I'm sure it would keep accidents and prosecutions down. But in Thailand it would probably be looked on as a free taxi service.
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abbub
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Discussion 11 : 29 Dec 2012 at 10.1411
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In Sweden cars have breathalyzer tests which must be OK before people can even start their cars.

Also in Europe and the USA there are free services for people out in clubs or restaurants that have had too much to drink. They can call a number and get a free ride home, with a second driver from the organization driving their car at the same time or a free return to pick up their vehicle next day.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 10 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.1410
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33 human beings dead... on just the first day! This is a National tragedy... Thailand needs to initiate a "Don't Drink & Drive" in all high schools. Otherwise, the country will continue to tolerate & even expect this result.
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abbub
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Discussion 9 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.099
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Cars are status symbols. One neighbor, after paying off his 2-door Toyota pickup decided to buy a new, 4-door one. It sits parked outside the house sometimes when he cannot afford fuel. Meanwhile he has almost no furniture in his dilapidated house and his kids could be better taken care of. His wife irons to help pay the lump of metal and plastic parked outside. He washes his several times a week.

Sometimes i suggest families just rent a car when they need one, or call a cab. An answer I often get is "we need it in case of emergency or if the family wants to go on holiday sometimes".

Many Thais are poor at math...
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whathe
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Discussion 8 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.028
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i think electric wall needs to go up on a lot of thai peoples cars.... when they decide to drive them while drunk !!
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The great holiday exodus | Bangkok Post: news