Splashed to death

Postbag

Published: 16 Apr 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Yesterday, I saw two guys on a motorbike approaching one of those small roadside groups armed with hoses, water guns and buckets of water. One of the group with a bucket stepped further into the road to throw the water and the motorbike veered away straight into the path of an oncoming car on the other side of the road. Injured, but thankfully not killed.

There were 114 deaths in just three days. Is there a file of information on exactly how these accidents are caused?

If that information shows that some accidents are caused in a similar fashion to that I have described, surely it is time to stop these roadside bombardments and restrict water throwing strictly to pedestrians. Or will it just be mai pen rai ... there's nothing we can do?

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fatalan
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Discussion 26 : 16 Apr 2012 at 15.4626
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Soggy Mango, the low levels of water are due to the gov draining all the dams in the kingdom so there isn't a repeat of last year's floods. The gov said no floods this year, they didn't say anything about drought!
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fatalan
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Discussion 25 : 16 Apr 2012 at 15.3525
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Well said Ricardo. I wonder if any of these whinging farangs were ever young.
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soltair
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Discussion 24 : 16 Apr 2012 at 15.3324
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fatalan #15, wrote "Stop moaning!" and then started to moan himself hahaha Way to go...
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arch
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Discussion 23 : 16 Apr 2012 at 15.2423
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nighthawk D12
The last taxi fare increase in BKK was in July 2008. The rise was 12% from the previous fare.
Flag fall never changes from 35 Baht, but !!! distance traveled is reduced.
You simply get less kilometers for your Baht.
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ricardo
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Discussion 22 : 16 Apr 2012 at 14.3322
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All these farang drama queens have nothing better to do but complain. These are the same chaps that sit alone at the end of the bar and cannot even order a drink in Thai reading a free copy of the BP. It is very easy to plan your schedule to avoid getting wet, I manage it every year and still get more than a fair share of drink.
Happy Songkran
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loong
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Discussion 21 : 16 Apr 2012 at 12.5521
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I agree with most comments here that Songkran festivity today is a waste of water resource, lives, and injuries. Yesterday Songkran was much more enjoyable than today one, traditionally one will pour water or lightly springer water over your love or respect one. Today Songkran, with all those water gun, or throwing water to anybody is disgusting(sanook) without regarding other people welfare. This is not Songkran that I used to enjoy!
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bubbs
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Discussion 20 : 16 Apr 2012 at 12.1320
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I have to agree with manfarang, there are so many complaints. Don;t go out, it is only three days.
Mr Bullinger why should they not increase the cost of taxi's. it is not fair at present. People have a right to earn a living. If they do not pick you up, then it is a shame, I have used taxi's for 16 years and very rarely have a problem. It's always strange how the postbag writers have such horrible experiences, no smoke without fire. People like you always have to find fault with something or somebody, get a life and get real
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ashback
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Discussion 19 : 16 Apr 2012 at 11.5519
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Dear BP, I would like to add my (slight) weight to the Songkran debate. I am very happy to have taken this country as my home. Yesterday afternoon I had a wonderful time in the midst of thousands in Silom, with even the Fire Department adding their hoses, to the delight of the crowd on a very hot day. I estimate that even in this tourist area Thai revelers outnumbered foreigners 20:1. I love the freedom with which such events unfold, and continue to develop annually. In eight years I have yet to see anger during the festival.
On the other hand, I am saddened to read each year of the many deaths and even more injuries over the seven dangerous days, and I am sure that the number could be reduced without inhibiting the festival. I hope that ways can be found to do this - I send my prayers at this time to the families who are mourning their loved ones.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 18 : 16 Apr 2012 at 11.3018
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saltation D10 - "This is to be expected when the government raises the price of the main transport fuel by 50%"
Fuel costs are determined by world market prices, not the Thai government. What they did change however is a reduction in fuel subsidies, meaning less of your tax money was being spent on someone elses fuel.
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jerrold
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Discussion 17 : 16 Apr 2012 at 11.2017
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Happy Songkran.....
Horrible scenes flash to my mind if i am remembered the street "dancing folklore" when it was carnival time in europe.
Ever since i was a small boy i could not understand that 'grownups" could turn themselves into walking banana's hamburgers or whatever..get drunk...and then after the festivities ....told everybody they had a great time.
My kids are born in Thailand and from day 1 , I(over 50) am splashing water....powder my face.....all to please my kids...kids in the neighborhood....Thai adults.....and THUS ME!
Happy Songkran 2012 (NK)
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Splashed to death | Bangkok Post: opinion