Pessimism about road safety in Thailand: a glaring problem and not a government priority
Despite decades of campaigning, Thailand remains one of the world’s most dangerous countries for road safety. With a fatal accident occurring almost every hour and a lack of political will to implement changes, the situation looks set to improve little. Experts are calling for action, but pessimism prevails. What is holding back real progress?
Motorcyclist road safety campaign: dealers required to supply two helmets with each motorcycle sold
In order to reduce the high number of road casualties, the Thai Ministry of Transport is requiring motorcycle dealers to provide two helmets for each motorcycle sold. In addition, riders without helmets must undergo mandatory road safety training. The plan emphasizes the need to protect lives and hopes to drastically reduce the death toll.
Road safety during Songkran under scrutiny: again this year, a significant number of accidents and fatalities
The Center for the Prevention and Reduction of Traffic Accidents released the report on the 2024 Songkran Festival, showing that 2.044 accidents were recorded with 2.060 injuries and 287 deaths. The results underline the need for improved road safety measures, especially against the backdrop of fast driving, reckless overtaking and drunk driving.
Higher fines for traffic violations in Thailand
In 2020, the Thai government announced a series of new and higher traffic fines to improve road safety in Thailand. On May 31, the Thai government's official Facebook page posted a reminder listing some increased traffic fines.
Helmetless Thailand is hopeless
As in many other countries, in Thailand it is mandatory to wear a crash helmet when riding a two-wheeled motor vehicle (motorcycle or scooter). That is of course to promote road safety, but not every Thai, and with them also many foreign visitors, think that way. It is believed that the helmet is mandatory, because otherwise you can get a fine. If you are almost certain that there is no police check, then it is still wonderful to drive without a helmet.
A remarkable 'Thai' request not to have to pay fines
Wirat Joyjinda, the president of the Soi Khopai community, Deputy Police Chief Pol. Col Chainarong Chai-in let it be known that the residents no longer have options to pay fines. Because tourists stay away and closures of the catering industry due to the covid-19 virus, they no longer have an income.
Motorcycle license for renters motorbike required
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob wants to reduce the number of road deaths in Thailand through measures. Thailand has the dubious honor of being world number 2 in terms of road fatalities. It has been established that 74 percent of the accident victims are motorbike drivers.
Reader submission: Indifference versus enthusiasm: do they never learn, there in Thailand?
Thailand has a complicated society. Complicated due to large visible contradictions. Compare the consumptive character of Bangkok with the subdued poverty of other regions. But other interpretations of common norms and values also seem to be valid in Thailand. For example, Thailand says it has its own form of democracy, has a different interpretation of the concept of the rule of law, and there is a big difference in how people in Thailand interact with each other.
Reader Submission: Mini and Midi Van Safety
There is a lot of talk about the safe midi vans. These should replace the mini vans. Nothing changes in terms of drivers, the vans can transport more passengers and are more spacious. So this is correct. The seats and entry are much better.
Unsafe roads in Thailand cause less growth of the gross domestic product. Gross domestic product is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced in a country during a given period.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) and the police have been the target of criticism from road users who are angry at the proposal to significantly increase traffic fines for driving without a license, driving with an expired or revoked license or failure to present a driver's license. to increase.
Cameras in Pattaya should increase road safety
Recently, the Pattaya city council wants to have the traffic situation on the agenda every month. Chonburi has the dubious honor of being one of Thailand's provinces with the most traffic casualties. We want to map out what could be the cause of this.
A points driving license should become the new weapon in the battle to reduce the number of road casualties in Thailand. The police applaud the idea, because it can improve the driving behavior of road users and reduce the number of traffic accidents.
Speed limit to 50 km for some back roads in Bangkok
Bangkok police have set a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour on eight roads in downtown Bangkok. These 50 km zones must become the new standard for road safety.
Soon I will be going on holiday in Northern Thailand. As an experienced motorcyclist I was looking forward to the Mae Hong Son route with its (it is said) 1864 bends. But….
Seven dangerous days less deadly than last year
According to the government, the road safety campaign during the New Year holidays (Seven dangerous days) was a success. The number of traffic accidents and deaths or injuries has decreased this year. The number of accidents fell by 1,5 percent and the number of fatalities by 11,5 percent.
The Thai is short-sighted
We know: traffic in Thailand is absolute chaos. That results in more than 20.000 deaths every year and nobody cares. The government offers some wipes here and there for the bleeding, but because uncle cop is more interested in his own wallet here, it's mopping with the tap open.
Thailand is at the top of a ranking of thirty countries with the highest number of road deaths. The list can be found on World Atlas, a website that ranks countries in terms of travel, society, economy and environment.
At a regional conference of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket yesterday, nine countries in Asia, including Thailand, signed a statement promising to reduce the number of road deaths over the next three years.
The first 200 midibuses will hit the road on Sunday
The first 200 midibuses will be on the road on Sunday. The 20-seat vans will be deployed on routes between Bangkok and other provinces. They replace the minibuses that, according to the government, are too often involved in road accidents and therefore pose a threat to road safety.
Bangkok wants to lower the speed limit in built-up areas
The municipality of Bangkok is fed up with the number of accidents within the city limits and wants a reduction of the speed limit within built-up areas to 50 kilometers. The Land Traffic Act of 1992 must be amended for this purpose.
Ban on passengers in loading back pickup trucks is postponed
From now on, drivers who transport passengers in the back of a pickup truck will only receive a verbal warning. This was agreed on Friday during a meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu and representatives of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), the Land Transport Department (LTD) and other relevant services.