PHUKET: A young athlete competing in the Phuket Games 2012 was killed in a motorcycle crash on one of Phuket's treacherous roads today.
The 18-year-old from Bangkok, named as Sitipong Laputama, came off a rented Honda Click on a tricky bend in Sai Yuan Road in Rawai, southern Phuket.
A friend, Austapong Noikamsin, also 18*, (*later revealed to be just 13) escaped serious injury and was being treated in the Phuket Provinicial Administrative Organisation Hospital in Phuket City.
Today was the final day of competition in the rowing.
Khun Sitipong's death cast a tragic pall over the Games. Questions are likely to be asked on Phuket and in Bangkok about student safety and supervision.
His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City, where Vice Governor Dr Dr Sommai Preechasin and Phuket Provincial Adminstrative Organisation President Paiboon Upatising joined Games officials and the boy's grieving friends.
A large contingent of Bangkok and Phuket photographers snapped shots and took footage as the boy's body arrived at the Vachira Phuket Hospital entrance.
The crash came about 10.05am.The students were due to compete in the boat-racing events being held at Nai Harn lagoon, not far from the bend where the crash occurred.
The boys were not wearing helmets.
A total of 9500 youngsters and 2500 officials are on Phuket for the 28th National Youth Games, which has been plagued by persistent storms and rain since Saturday. The closing ceremony is set for June 5.
Lack of efficient public transport on Phuket is cited as one reason for the high number of motorcycle crashes that often leave Phuket's young boys and girls dead or injured or, in many cases, crippled for life.
The 18-year-old from Bangkok, named as Sitipong Laputama, came off a rented Honda Click on a tricky bend in Sai Yuan Road in Rawai, southern Phuket.
A friend, Austapong Noikamsin, also 18*, (*later revealed to be just 13) escaped serious injury and was being treated in the Phuket Provinicial Administrative Organisation Hospital in Phuket City.
Today was the final day of competition in the rowing.
Khun Sitipong's death cast a tragic pall over the Games. Questions are likely to be asked on Phuket and in Bangkok about student safety and supervision.
His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City, where Vice Governor Dr Dr Sommai Preechasin and Phuket Provincial Adminstrative Organisation President Paiboon Upatising joined Games officials and the boy's grieving friends.
A large contingent of Bangkok and Phuket photographers snapped shots and took footage as the boy's body arrived at the Vachira Phuket Hospital entrance.
The crash came about 10.05am.The students were due to compete in the boat-racing events being held at Nai Harn lagoon, not far from the bend where the crash occurred.
The boys were not wearing helmets.
A total of 9500 youngsters and 2500 officials are on Phuket for the 28th National Youth Games, which has been plagued by persistent storms and rain since Saturday. The closing ceremony is set for June 5.
Lack of efficient public transport on Phuket is cited as one reason for the high number of motorcycle crashes that often leave Phuket's young boys and girls dead or injured or, in many cases, crippled for life.
ed - it sounds as though you believe the road to be resposible.. does this bend have a history of accidents??
Posted by another steve on May 31, 2012 13:07
Editor Comment:
Best not to guess what others are thinking, another steve, and to leave it to the experts to determine what caused the crash. But this road often has sections where dirt from construction sites washes onto the surface, making conditions even more hazardous in the wet.