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A pickup driver passing on the wrong side killed a bicyclist north of Phuket

Bicycle Rider Killed Near Phuket By Pickup Overtaking on Wrong Side

Saturday, April 11, 2015
PHUKET: A woman out getting exercise on a bicycle north of Phuket was killed by a pickup overtaking illegally on the left yesterday.

The woman's husband, on another bicycle a little further down the road, turned back to find his wife had been killed instantly.

It was one of the first Phuket region fatalities in the Songkran new year Seven Days of Danger - and it will alarm the increasing number of riders who are taking up bicycle riding for exercise.

Being held by police in Kok Kloi, about 10 minutes' drive north of Phuket in the province of Phang Nga, is the pickup driver, Nitawat Lamai, 22. He faces a charge of driving in a dangerous manner so as to cause a death.

The roads of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi now see more and more bicycle riders in pairs or groups, with pedalling becoming one of the Andaman region's popular pastimes.

Saroj Suwanno and his wife Kamontam, 52, had become part of that trend until yesterday evening when Kamontam was struck from behind and killed.

All Khun Saroj could do was cradle his wife's body in his arms.

The crash took place on the road towards Phang Nga Town from Kok Kloi, not far for the traffic lights that mark the t-intersection with the main road from Phuket stretching north along the Andaman coast.

Comments

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Very Very Sad....

Posted by robert on April 11, 2015 11:01

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A real shame. This happens way to offend throughout Thailand. It is one of the reasons I have a Motorbike mirror on my road bike so I can keep an eye on those coming up behind me. Several times over the years I have had to run off or nearly run off the edge of the road to avoid getting hit by others passing on the left.

Posted by mike on April 11, 2015 12:49

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I am happy to share the road and always take great care to give bikes of all types a wide berth, but pairs often are not in a single file ( which is the law )and instead riding abreast of one another so they can chat and hold up traffic behind them.

Posted by The Night Mare on April 11, 2015 14:51

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One more reckless crappy driver takes another life. Unacceptable

Posted by Ed Sanders on April 11, 2015 15:06

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How terrible - so sad for the lady's family

Another example of the outcome when drivers are not trained properly. Lane discipline in thailand is shocking, with people just driving in whatever lane they feel like, meaning overtaking on the left is a common practice.

Posted by Discover Thainess on April 11, 2015 15:07

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Instead of setting of the alarm with the increasing number of riders, should the alarm bells not be ringing at the highest volume at the police stations, so that they could take some action against these lunatics? Oh, for a moment i forgot i was in Phuket.

Posted by Carl on April 11, 2015 15:26

Editor Comment:

The fatal crash was in Phang Nga.

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Ed, I understand freedom of press is limited under current rules but my article was ok so why did you not print it?

Posted by Welcome To Paradise on April 11, 2015 16:48

Editor Comment:

As you know, WTP, freedom of the press applies to journalism, not online comments. In any case, the only other comment you've made this month from this email address has been published. Please don't waste my time.

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First Rest In Peace for the victim Khun Kamontam. Secondly strength for Khun Saroj and all family and Friends.
I hope this case gets a good and honest investigation and a huge punishment / penalty if the Pick Up driver is to blame this innocent death. Thailand is to easy to say it was just an accident. Only heavy penalties and jail time can create a difference in mentality and drive style. Ok proper training would help to.
Again Kamontam RIP.

Posted by phuketgreed on April 11, 2015 20:55

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Discover thainess hit the nail on the head just no lane discipline in this country there lay the problem but what's the fix im scared what will occur in that new tunnel and hope my fears prove to be incorrect.

Posted by slickmelb on April 11, 2015 22:25

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The police do not enforce the traffic laws here. I have never seen a driver stopped for anything against the law. I'm more surprised the killer wasn't driving a tourist van. I feel so sorry for her husband. RIP Khun Kamontam.

Posted by hotgem on April 11, 2015 23:47

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Very sad, condolences to her husband and family.

Posted by Harald on April 12, 2015 11:54


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