Burmese motorcyclist’s night ride turns highway to hell in Pattaya
In the early hours of this morning, a Burmese motorcyclist found himself in a terrifying tangle with a car on one of Pattaya’s perilously dim highways. Just shy of 1am, today, November 26, the hazardous conditions on Highway 331 in Khao Mai Kaew led to a collision that sent shockwaves through the quiet night.
Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre raced to the scene as soon as the alarm sounded, finding chaos under the sparse streetlights. There, a black Honda City sedan, driven by 32 year old Kittipan Mangkawang, sported a crumpled front after colliding with a Honda Wave 125 motorcycle. The bike, now barely recognisable, was wedged into the sedan’s grille.
The unfortunate biker, known only as Rin, a 38 year old man from Myanmar, suffered moderate injuries in the smash-up. With scrapes and a seemingly broken left arm, he was swiftly attended to by rescue workers before being whisked away to hospital for further care.
Kittipan recounted the panic-stricken moments of the crash, noting the pitch-black road swallowing the motorcycle until it was too late to dodge. His immediate reaction was to call for help, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
“I didn’t see the motorbike till the last second. The road’s terrible lighting was a major factor.”
Kittipan lamented the dim conditions.
He urged authorities to tackle the hazardous lighting situation to prevent future accidents on these risky roads. This incident shines a glaring spotlight on the pressing safety issues posed by poorly lit highways, underscoring the dire need for better infrastructure to protect Pattaya’s motorists.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Pattaya Mail reports a motorcycle crash on Sukhumvit Road, resulting in severe injuries to a young male driver and his passenger, highlighting the dangers of speeding and potential driver fatigue. (read more)
- The Thaiger reports a serious motorbike crash in Pattaya, with the rider critically injured and emergency responders highlighting the need for CCTV footage to investigate and prevent future accidents effectively. (read more)
- Bangkok Post reports a tragic Pattaya crash involving a foreign driver, highlighting the grave consequences of road safety negligence, with one fatality and another seriously injured in the incident. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news.
Why are dimly lit roads a persistent issue in Pattaya?
Inadequate infrastructure investment and rapid urbanization outpace road safety measures, causing persistent lighting issues.
How can improved street lighting reduce road accidents?
Better lighting enhances visibility, allowing drivers to detect hazards earlier, thus reducing the likelihood of collisions.
What if authorities prioritized road lighting improvements in accident-prone areas?
Prioritizing lighting could significantly decrease accident rates, improving overall safety and public confidence in road infrastructure.
What role does community advocacy play in addressing road safety concerns?
Community advocacy pressures local authorities to prioritize and implement necessary safety measures, like better street lighting.
How might technological innovations contribute to safer road conditions in the future?
Technologies like smart lighting and adaptive systems could dynamically adjust to conditions, enhancing road safety significantly.
