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Runaway Truck Wrecks Phuket Resort Entrance in Dice With Death
By Sert Tongdee Monday, August 11, 2014
PHUKET: The truck driver has just crested a steep Phuket hill when he realises his brakes have failed.
Ahead of him, at the base of the hill, he can see tourists and shops across from the t-intersection. It's Sunday afternoon. People are out, enjoying themselves.
The driver knows the crash at the intersection will probably kill him, too. So he swings the wheel madly to the left, takes an entranceway . . . and probably offers up some quick prayers.
That was the likely set of circumstances yesterday that led to the six-wheeler crashing about 2.10pm just uphill from the intersection of Khok Tanod Road with Kata Sia Yuan Road, which descends rapidly.
The truck ran into the entranceway of the Orchidacea Resort instead, becoming a wreck as it destroyed low walls before coming to a halt.
The driver was the only person injured and is recovering today in Vachira Phuket Hosital, in Phuket City. At the resort, damage is still being assessed.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
the guy is a hero , had it ran through the bottom of the hill it could have been a very different story ...
Posted by
chris
on
August 11, 2014 11:55
when are they going to have somewhere to check large vehicle brakes its not llike its a massive expensive machine
Posted by
Michael
on
August 11, 2014 12:10
The truck driver, after reading your story, is really indeed a hero, probably saves many lives. He should be rewarded for it by Government or PhuketWan? But now, please continue this PhuketWan story also! Why this happened? What was wrong with the truck? When was the truck,s last time check up? Check it out? There are to many brake failures on Phuket steep hills. Public, thai and foreigner have the right to know.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 11, 2014 12:23
Editor Comment:
You want Phuketwan, which does not make money, to begin rewarding truck drivers? Much better if first you dropped by at Phuketwan with a large cheque for us for all of the information we've provided you for free, Kurt. You seem to imagine we can fill all the gaps. Sorry.
Brake fade down steep hills is not brake failure same old brakes failed or rain excuse repeatedly, learn to drive a veh appropriate for the condition's on the road if you ride the brake from top of steep hill it will fade alright to they become ineffective.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
August 11, 2014 12:24
Well done driver. No loss of life and the damage to walls and bus can be repaired. Thank you for not running into the T-junction and sparing many lives. Get better soon.
Posted by
Graham
on
August 11, 2014 12:35
Are Asian trucks designed differently ?? I thought all hgv trucks were equipped with air brakes, the kind whose default position is braking, and need the air pressure to hold the brake 'open' to move. Hence a failure of the system brakes the vehicle to a standstill.
How is it there is near weekly events like this where brakes fail, risking lives and property, when that's how commercial vehicle brakes work ??
Posted by
Livinlos
on
August 11, 2014 13:03
Nice stunt for a change. It is indeed a break problem, Michael, but the big problem is that most of the time drivers shift into lowest gear far too late whilst driving down these kind of steep roads.
Posted by
Hopelander
on
August 11, 2014 14:16
The old brakes again, this country must have more dodgy brakes than any other place, or perhaps it is an excu.....
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
August 11, 2014 14:28
Livin Los, I have repeatedly asked that question, because I can't see how they can fail.
But alas, most peoples knowledge of mechanics is next to 0.
A hero? No. Lucky, yes.
It is ultimately his lack of checking his own vehicle that caused this accident.
Posted by
Tbs
on
August 11, 2014 15:00
It isn't polite in other cultures to ask, but since TIT is the ED's comment "Phuketwan, which does not make money" factual? I assume you make something else why would you work so hard to publish such a good product. There are ads at the top and right side of your pages that should provide some income. So what is your story Phuketwan?
Posted by
Dkin
on
August 11, 2014 15:32
Editor Comment:
PW has never made money. Our objective has been to make Phuket (and Thailand) a better place. The ads cover some costs, but not all.
Ahhhh, the good old 'my brakes failed' excuse- glad it wasn't raining or that would have been a contributory factor as well.
At least he had the good sense to take remedial action to save himself. Hardly a 'hero' Chris, more like an unskilled driver. There are too many truck drivers taking too little care on the roads these days, under pressure from their bosses to deliver as many loads as possible. They blast through red lights, drive far too fast and have little time to react when something happens (this being the exception to the rule).
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
August 11, 2014 16:32
@ mister Ree ... what would you prefer that he carry on down to a busy intersection and into a row of shops killing 20 or 30 ? of course he is a hero , why is it always necessary to condemn the Thai workers ? given the equipment he had , he acted in a selfless manner and slammed into the hotel ..with zero deaths ... get off your high horse please ...
Posted by
chris
on
August 11, 2014 20:13
Who was talking about money, mr Editor?
A reward doesn't need to be money. There are many ways to show appreciation. ( As I wrote, by goverment or phuketwan). A Certificate, a dinner for 2, things like that.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 11, 2014 20:19
Editor Comment:
By all means, we'd love to go out to dinner with the driver at your expense, Kurt. But doesn't that involve money?
(moderated)
Posted by
chill
on
August 12, 2014 05:36
Editor Comment:
We don't accept readers' challenges or uninformed guesswork.
@ Livinous Thai commercial vehicles are designed different to any other known Vehicles They can travel at 3 times the speed of other vehicle's over any obstacle with their 4 wheel drive & military tank capability' they can accelerate at a phenomenal rate, They can travel faster in any gear particularly reverse they can be driven for months with dashboard warning lights flashing, enjoy much tighter u turn ability's, Batteries water oil tyre pressures and maintenance are simply not required to be checked, they require less cleaning inside and out & for your convenience the floor is shaped like a ashtray, their tyre walls are a special compound design to permit driving into and over kerbs and gutters, their gearboxes allow reverse gear to be engaged whilst moving forward at any speed, a bonus feature is that screaming passengers or unusual and alarming engine noises can be easily eliminated by a adjustment of the volume control for the quad boom box speakers up to 250 decibels
these vehicles are blessed providing spiritual enlightenment & a long happy life to all whom travel in it so no problem & insurance is not needed
yes indeed Thai commercial vehicles' are a unique design
Posted by
slickmelb
on
August 12, 2014 18:12
I've ridden down that hill many times on rented m/scooters and thought to myself how bad it would be if the brakes failed on the bike. I'd hate to see the consequences if that truck went straight to the T intersection at the bottom of the hill. It'd be pure devastation and many potential deaths for certain. Good on the driver for taking the action he took.
Posted by
Matt
on
August 12, 2014 22:43
Commercial Trucks and buses are the one thing I fear when driving Thailand roads.
I know companies lack safety inspections on the biggest things on wheels. Drive them until they break. Especially in the construction industry.
Posted by
John
on
August 13, 2014 01:44
Ed, I don't recall making any challenge in my earlier comment nor did I make any uniformed guesswork. I merely accused you of guesswork and offered to reward the driver. No challenge and no guesswork on my part.Please read the comment again.
Posted by
chill
on
August 13, 2014 06:12
Editor Comment:
''The crest of the hill is at the view point and the driver would have had ample time to take evasive action well before he reached the hotels. For all we know he may have just fallen asleep at the wheel.''
Our reporter spoke to the police, chill. Where does your information come from? I have no interest in being challenged/told what to think by imaginative readers. You have alternative outlets. Don't waste my time with your conjecture.
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the guy is a hero , had it ran through the bottom of the hill it could have been a very different story ...
Posted by chris on August 11, 2014 11:55