Great! I was already worried that this week would pass by without a crash at Patong Hill. So, we got it! Was the bus cjecked by police at Kathu Check point as 'ordered' by Phuket authorities? Driver already checked on correct driving license, use of drugs or alcohol? Brake failure, is the latest brake check up report available?

Posted by Kurt on February 27, 2015 23:02

Riding the brakes is legion..especially in the northern hilly regions with lots of curves, like around Pai.

Local People generally don't like to gear down, they ride the breaks instead. Last time I drove up there, the smell of burning rubber was constant..

Posted by farang888 on February 27, 2015 23:09

This just isn't ever going to stop, is it. No matter how many accidents there are, and how many people get hurt or killed, it just isn't going to stop. Even though there are new laws designed to prevent this, the drivers just disregard the law, just like they disregard the safety of their passengers. Since the only thing people seem to understand here is money, then maybe it is time to mount electronic sensors in all buses and start fining the bus companies 15,000 baht for every bus that goes over Patong Hill.

Posted by Richard Vickers on February 28, 2015 00:11

Saved 24 tourists or avoid to kill them?

Posted by Frog on February 28, 2015 00:38

If the police let the bus pass their checkpoint in Kathu, it would be reasonable for the driver to argue he was given permission to cross the hill.

I once drove through the Kole-Kole pass from Schofield Barracks to Nanakuli on O'ahu, Hawai'i. This is strictly limited military area where even their own personnel need special permits.

The guard at the top end check-point let me pass but when reaching the bottom, I was greeted by 2 MPs that did not look happy. I told them I asked and was given permission. After some shouting over the phone which I was able to hear from 10m away I was told to go on my way.

A simple step to improve safety would be to administer permanent drug and alcohol tests to bus and truck drivers at the checkpoint in Kathu.

Simple in theory only because as with so many other traffic rules, the local police just cannot be bothered to enforce them and the general public knows this. As a result, everyone pretty much does whatever the heck they want in traffic.

Not wanting to be tested on the scene sounds like a much more plausible reason for the driver to flee.

Posted by Herbert on February 28, 2015 06:27

farang888

The smell comes from overheated break discs/drums. Not rubber. It's a very particular smell, and yes, can often be felt as soon as you encounter hilly roads. Especially if you sit in the front of the bus.

Posted by christian on February 28, 2015 09:40

Saw the video. My compliments and respect for the medical department who had a ambulance + medical staff at the scene in les than 5 minutes time. Bravo!
Thumb down for the thai bus captain who did run away. His run away may rise question or he was not under influence of alcohol or drugs, or probably not have the correct driving license to drive a bus of that size. The bus company should be screened too.
Going over Patong Hill with brakes like that? Should be considered as criminal.

Posted by Kurt on February 28, 2015 11:43

The bus curfew is only at certain peak periods- this bus was traveling outside the restricted time. Not that others pay much attention to the restricted times though. There was another clapped out bus broken down at the top of Naka Hill in Kamala yesterday as well blocking traffic for several hours.

Posted by Mister Ree on February 28, 2015 12:24

@Herbert..Know of Kole Kole pass very well..lived on Oahu for 17 yrs..though never took that road myself..I have heard it is purposely kept some what unsafe as the military has a lot of top secret stuff going on up there...very very unusual that you were allowed through

Posted by sky on February 28, 2015 17:45

Farang 888 and Christian.
As the breaking system converts kinetic energy into heat through friction, the smell is a mixture of "off gassing" of the brake pad sacrificial material which will increase with temperature and the vaporising of dirt, tyre dust and road based fine particles that have settled on or come in contact with the hot brake components.

Posted by Manowar on February 28, 2015 19:11

this afternoon old bus loos in kalim many oil on the road everyday i see broken buses on the way from kathu too kaelim and from kamala too surin who is responsible that this old buses without checks can stay on the roads ??? and are dangerous and give our children many pollution ???

Posted by do on February 28, 2015 19:19

Phuket must be unique to have so many skilled drivers with brakes that fail.

Posted by slickmelb on February 28, 2015 19:36

It reminds me of "Run Forrest, Run.." but in a bad way.
Signed,
Gumped the Dummy again

Posted by farang888 on February 28, 2015 22:45