UPDATE
Although distressed after learning of his girlfriend's death, the Australian man discharged himself from Vachira Phuket Hospital this afternoon.
Original Report
PHUKET: An Australian woman died and her boyfriend was being treated in hospital after a motorcycle crash early today in southern Phuket in which two Thais were also injured, one seriously.
The tourists were descending Patak Road, the Karon Hill road, towards Chalong Circle when their motorcycle clipped a motorcycle-and-sidecar stall as the vendor was setting up shop in darkness about 3.30am today.
The tourists then veered across the road into incoming traffic where they collided with a motorcycle going up the hill, police said.
At this stage, officers have not been able to determine which of the tourists was steering the motorcycle, and which was riding pilion.
Charity foundation workers at the scene who took both the injured man and the Australian woman to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City noted a strong smell of alcohol and said the woman was not wearing a safety helmet.
The man seriously injured while riding the other motorcycle, Siriwat Patkor, is now being treated in Phuket International Hospital.
Vendor Kewadee Jailak was treated at Vachira Phuket and allowed to leave, but told the nurses she did not have money to pay the 2000 baht bill.
I hope one day we have proper public transport and daily checks for DUI islandwide.
If both things are implemented at the same time, I bet you accident rates are easily cut by 50% or more.
I would imagine officials are racing to see who gets the honors for making such a significant improvement in traffic safety on Phuket.
Posted by Steve C. on February 25, 2012 12:25