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Austapong Noikamsin leaves Phuket for Bangkok today

Phuket Games Bike Crash Boy Heads for Bangkok

Sunday, June 3, 2012
PHUKET: Thirteen-year-old Phuket Games 2012 competitor Austapong Noikamsin, who crashed a motorcycle on Phuket leading to the death of another boy, flew home to Bangkok today.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation President Paiboon Upatising were at the administrative organisation's hospital in Phuket City to see him into an ambulance bound for Phuket International Airport.

Khun Austapong will spend more time in a Bangkok hospital recovering from his injuries.

His friend Sitipong Laputama, 18, was killed when their motorcycle crashed off Sai Yuan Road in Rawai on Thursday.

The boys had gone to a 7-Eleven store and were returning to the lagoon at Nai Harn, where they were part of the rowing competition in the Phuket Games 2012, otherwise known as the 28th National Youth Games.

About 9500 young competitors and 2500 officials are on Phuket, some with their families, for events in about 40 sports. As of today Phuket was lying seventh among 77 provinces on the gold medal tally with 15 golds, 12 silver medals and 15 bronze medals.

Bangkok was not unexpectedly leading the medals tally, with 174 golds, silvers and bronzes.

The Phuket Games, which began on May 26, conclude with a closing ceremony at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City on Tuesday evening.

Comments

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So a 13 year old driving a bike killed someone and no charges???Good job he didn't hit anyone else.

Posted by rich on June 3, 2012 13:13

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@rich. The police take the attitude that under age riders are too young to prosecute. Visit any school at eight in the morning and see how many students arrive illegally in the presence of an officer. Nothing is done about it. Apart from the unfortunate death of the 18 year old pillion passenger, the owner of the rental bike will also have lost out with no insurance cover.

Posted by agogohome on June 3, 2012 15:11

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I have told my wife stop getting upset when seing an accident or when she hears about an accident. I told her that I'm completely cold these days when it comes to people, young and old, dying in motorbike accidents. Reason is that they often drive insanely irresponsibly, don't wear a helmet etc etc. I mean, what do you expect will happen? I also tell her to do something, get organised and demand from the politicians that she have voted into power that laws are being followed if she finds these kinds of stories so distressing. Of course, she would NEVER do that, no no. And so the lawlessness countinues. It doesn't bother me anymore, because this is the society the average thai wants. Who am I to argue?

Posted by christian on June 3, 2012 16:49

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rich

I agree, lucky nobody innocent got involved. That's the ONLY thing I worry about when I see gangs youngsters on modified motorbikes speeding around like crazy in the evenings. As long as they crash without anybody else getting hurt or killed I actually don't care if they crash somewhere.

Posted by christian on June 3, 2012 16:55

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Yeah, they should have used a 500 Baht tuktuk. Sure. And this boys were definitely not a gang, but sporty youngsters away from home back from a 7/11. It was an accident with bad weather and judgement on a road that was unknown to the underage driver, who really should not have driven in the first place. Keep it what it was.

And I can see, that it is pretty hard to keep your kid from motorscooting underage in Thailand. Not too many can drive their kids all the ways by car. You want to argue with the boy for 6 years? Keep him at home all the time to be sure? Sometimes not a choice even for caring parents. But christian stay cold, when you see the next accident, thats ok. I will feel for the mother who lost her kid. RIP young stupid boy.

Posted by Lena on June 3, 2012 23:30

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What is the legal age in Thailand for driving motorized vehicles - mopeds/motorollers, motobikes, cars?

Posted by SUe on June 4, 2012 03:04

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"So a 13 year old driving a bike killed someone and no charges???"
What good would charges do anybody? It would not help the parents, it certainly would not help the dead boy but it also would not prevent any other future accidents from happening. Or do you think other 13 year olds would be too scared to drive a bike then?

Posted by stevenl on June 4, 2012 07:19

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stevenl
No it probably would not change things but it might make him think if he was fined and made him pay for the damages, funeral ect.
But you obviously enjoy living in a totally lawless society.
I am sick of gangs of kids racing around Nai Harn lake driving on the wrong side of the road like maniacs.
I also have no sympathy for these morons.If they slammed into my car on the wrong side of the road.Who do think would end up paying? Certainly NOT them.

Posted by rich on June 4, 2012 11:34

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"But you obviously enjoy living in a totally lawless society."

Very strange conclusion, and I don't. I just don't see the point in fining/holding people responsible when they already carry an extremely big responsibility, like this kid.

Posted by stevenl on June 4, 2012 12:28

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Are you guys even mammals ? Does your blood bleed red ? Seriously ? This is an absolute tragedy. A 13 yr old athlete representing his province (not a gang member !!!) accidently kills his friend and all you can say is 'gangs' and 'morons'. Granted, he should never have been driving but were you never 13, away from home on a school team trip ? I know I was and I know what we got up to. You guys are cold man. (The racing on Nai Han lake was fantastic by the way).

Posted by James on June 4, 2012 15:09


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