Carnage on Thailand's roads

The build up to New Year's Eve is notorious for seeing an huge increase in the number of fatal roads accidents here in Thailand and 2010 was no different.

There were 3,497 accidents reported between 29th December 2010 and 4th January 2011, with a total of 358 people being killed. But, what is more worrying is that this figure is a 10% drop on the number killed in 2009!!!

Here is a link to The Nation newspapers website which gives you a detailed breakdown of the figures.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/New-Year-road-accident-toll-reaches-358-30145722.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Nationmultimediacom-Breakingnews+%28NationMultimedia.com+-+Breakingnews%29

The 2 biggest factors involved in most road accidents in Thailand, are excessive speed and excess alcohol.

Thais are bad drivers at the best of times, but add some whiskey into the equation and you have a recipe for disaster!!!

The most shocking accident that happened over the festive period and has been making headlines around the world, involved a 16 year old female driver who collided with a minibus at the entrance to a tollway, causing the passengers to be thrown from the vehicle and on to the road 30ft below. Eight people died at the scene with a ninth dying later in hospital.

Here is a link to the full story.......

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/topstories/213693/teen-under-fire-over-crash

The underage girl had no licence or insurance and was driving in the dark and over the speed limit. In a cruel twist of irony she walked away from the accident unhurt.

She has been pilloried by the media for her reaction to the accident. Instead of calling the emergency services or trying to assist the injured, she was photographed texting on her mobile phone.

As you can see from the photo, with her relaxed stance, she doesn't look the slightest bit bothered about writing-off her car or the fact people are dying only a few metres away.

A Facebook page has been created and has attracted 1000's of followers who want to see the young girl held to account for her actions.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anti-preawa-page/139511502773384?v=wall

The police have said that the girl will be charged with "reckless driving causing injuries and death". But, as this is Thailand I don't hold out much hope that she will be convicted.

This is due to her father being a high ranking member of the army and people in positions of authority in Thailand can usually use their influence to avoid justice.

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