The dire need to address the Southeast Asian nation’s road safety issues was further highlighted Monday night when a man died after a car ploughed into a group of cyclists in Bangkok.
Sunday’s accident occurred about 6.30am when the 23-year-old student rammed her car into a group of cyclists, killing three and injuring two more. The injured driver was taken to hospital where blood tests showed she was over the legal limit.
That tragic incident prompted Prayuth to order an immediate nationwide crackdown on drink driving. Khaosod English reported that the prime minister “specifically instructed police to organize more road check points and strictly refuse any bribes from motorists”.
“The prime minister has also ordered police to investigate the facts that led to this tragedy,” junta spokesman Maj.Gen. Sansern said, according to the Khaosod report. “For example, to find out where the [driver] was drinking. If it was a nightlife establishment, they must check whether illegal activity was involved, such as possible violation of a mandatory closing time, because the incident took place early in the morning but the motorist said she was still intoxicated.”
Chiang Mai residents reported increased police check points on the roads on Sunday and Monday nights.
Monday night’s accident in Bangkok came less than 40 hours after the Chiang Mai tragedy. A 31-year-old man died in hospital early this morning after being admitted to hospital in critical condition. Two other cyclists were injured in the incident. Police have been unable to ascertain whether alcohol was to blame for the accident as the driver of the vehicle fled on foot after the accident
Cyclists regularly fall foul of the dangerous conditions on Thailand’s roads – which are ranked second in the world in terms of traffic fatalities – including some high-profile incidents involving foreigners.
In February Chilean Juan Francisco Guillermo died after being hit by a truck in Nakhon Ratchasima province, bringing an end to his attempt to set a Guinness World Record by cycling 250,000km in five years on five continents.
A year earlier British couple Peter Root and Mary Thompson were killed when they were hit by a truck east of Bangkok. Alcohol was not blamed in either of those accidents, though in the latter case the driver told police that he hit the couple while he was bending down looking for a hat. Reckless driving was blamed in the former case.
Read More: 80 lives lost every day: Why are Thailand’s roads so dangerous?
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