Thailand : Crown Prince Worried for Cyclists' Safety: Official

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lese majeste

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Crown Prince Worried for Cyclists' Safety: Official
08 May 2015



BANGKOKThailand's Crown Prince sent a bouqet of flowers to Wichian Pinkesorn, a popular cyclist who is being hospitalized for injuries caused by a collision with a motorcyclist in Bangkok, 7 May 2015.

He added, "His Royal Highness would like to advise everyone that respecting traffic laws is the most important factor to reduce accidents."

Yesterday, the Crown Prince sent a bouqet of flowers to a popular cyclist who is being hospitalized for injuries caused by a collision with a motorcyclist in Bangkok on 6 May.

Five cyclists have been killed on Thai roads in the past week alone, including three people in Chiang Mai province, a 31-year-old woman in Bangkok, and a 63-year-old man who was killed in a freak accident caused by a truck driver in Ayutthaya province.

This morning, police received reports that yet another bicyclist was run over by a driver in Bangkok's Saphan Sung district. According to police, 75-year-old Supinan Chantarakul was cycling in the left lane when a pick-up truck slammed into him from behind, dragging the bicycle under the vehicle. Supinan has been sent to hospital.

Police say they have detained the 26-year-old driver of the pick-up truck for interrogation.

Cycling has been gaining popularity in Thailand in recent years as a form of exercise and way to evade notorious traffic jams in Bangkok and other cities. Thai authorities have also built new bike paths and organized several campaigns to encourage cycling.

Thai roads are considered the second most dangerous in the world, according to the Transportation Research Institute, with a death rate nearly twice the global average.

khaosodenglish.com

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May 8, 2015






Bangkok deputy governor Amorn Kitchawengkul on Friday outlined three factors for safe cycling in the city.

These include mandatory requirement for cyclists to be equipped with safety-enhancing gears such as crash helmets and fluorescent shirts when biking at night, biking skill and advance notification to the police if cycling in group of more than 50; traffic discipline for motorists and cyclists and physical conditions of roads; and speed limits.

Mr Amorn said that the city administration might limit car speed on roads most frequented by cyclists to 50 km/hour and in soi to 30 km/hour for the safety of bikers.

Mr Amorn floated his ideas and safety measures for bikers at a meeting of relevant agencies called by Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra in the wake of fatal incidents involving cyclists.

The governor told all district chiefs to conduct a survey of cyclists in their respective districts and the roads often frequented by the cyclists.

They were also told to check the conditions of roads to make sure they are in proper conditions and to put up direction signs.

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