Despite all of the comforts of living in Bangkok, we all wish for safer sidewalks and roads for pedestrians and motorists alike. A recent slate of tragic accidents serves as a wake-up call for us all. Guru asked a few Bangkokians to share their experiences on the road as drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians while gathering opinions from watchdog groups on what needs to be done so our roads and sidewalks can be safer.
Tanalap "Au" Anantasin, interior design studio owner, 55
"Four years ago, I was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle. Back then, the government encouraged Bangkokians to ride bicycles to solve pollution and traffic problems as one of their initiatives. Honestly, I was so thrilled to see my hometown taking a step forward in sustainability. I took public transportation instead of driving my car and rode a bicycle for the short distance to work. However, spinning on Bangkok's roads was a wrong move that nearly cost me my life; I was crushed by a truck. To be more specific, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's [BMA] garbage truck ran over me and left me with permanent damage to both my legs. Even worse, I was told by the police that it was my fault as I was riding a non-motorised vehicle on the road, disturbing other motorists. I was speechless.
"I asked why do the authorities encourage such ideas when they can't even guarantee our safety? Still, they argued that there are many bike lanes for me to enjoy a safe joyride. I pointed out to them why I had to ride on the road -- because those bike lanes they're so proud of are not practical. They aren't connected! I want those who are involved in traffic management to solve this problem thoughtfully. We don't need any fancy projects to make Bangkok hipper, but we want you to guarantee our safety when riding or walking along the streets!"
Napan "Narn" Jeeradist, training officer, 24
"I've always let my mind jump to the worst possible outcome when riding my motorcycle to work. The construction of Thailand's roads, especially in Bangkok, is horrible. No matter how good a rider you are, all those bumpy roads can drag you to the ground. The recent tragic accident on the crosswalk made me more vigilant when riding and I was also enlightened that not every crosswalk in Bangkok has a warning sign. Not long ago, I was one step closer to death as the motorbike rider in front of me was hit by a car whose driver made a reckless turn. I've been riding slower and more cautiously since then.
"Maybe we need specific rules for drivers and riders because the traffic laws that are currently in use are the same for both, since they share the route together. I think motorcyclists have been taken advantage of. They can only slide through an interstice between cars and they can't take over the entire lane by themselves either. Protection for riders would be nice to guarantee the safety of a smaller vehicle."
Tanatip "Arm" Judyai, self-employed, 24
"I'm sorry for all of the accidents that occurred as a result of careless drivers and riders. When I got into an accident, I understood that accidents could happen anywhere and at any time, no matter how careful you are. I've watched a lot of viral accident videos on Facebook while always taking them as a lesson learned as a parable for myself and trying to prevent it from happening. My truck almost overturned a few days ago, so I got goosebumps when you asked me to do an interview about my life on the road.
"On the Bang Phli-Suksawat Expressway, a 28-wheel trailer rammed into my left back wheel and my truck was almost overturned. Luckily, I summoned my consciousness as much as I could and held on tight to the steering wheel while my body was floating in the air. I managed to escape the car without a wound. The trailer driver claimed that he couldn't see my car while changing lanes due to the height of the trailer. I want to see people strictly obey the traffic rules because accidents can happen at any time. The signal colour on the road is very important. It makes the driver on the road see what's ahead and can slow down their vehicles in time. If you follow the traffic rules strictly, the odds of accidents are rare."
Thanicha " Eve" Worapanyanan, public relation & partnership, 24
"'Here we go again', is my first thought when I see the news about traffic accidents in Thailand. I think all the drivers know what is right and wrong. Yet, they ignore the fact that their reckless moves could cost someone their life while thinking that they can get away with it. Have you ever crossed the Rama IX Intersection? As I recall, it's the longest crosswalk in Bangkok, yet it's notoriously known as the most dangerous. I'm the one who has to risk my life crossing that intersection every day to get home. I am always upset by all the motorcycle riders who park on the zebra crossing, blocking my way to the other side. The worst part is that we have to wait for two rounds of crossing signal lights just to get to the other side and we have to huddle on a road isle, standing between two hustling four-lane roads. How challenging!
"A couple of months ago, my friends and I were embarrassed by a long, annoying horn by a rider while we were crossing a crosswalk. We were at Sampheng in Yaowarat and one of my friends suggested that we use a zebra crossing so we could hold a 'trump card' if something bad happened to us. The motorcyclist appeared out of thin air and honked at us as if we had done something wrong by crossing on the zebra crossing. I was so angry that I pointed to the green signal of the pedestrian crossing and said, 'It's my turn na ka!'"
Pakchira "Pak" Bunphol, community manager, 28
"Road accidents occur so frequently that it appears to be an unavoidable occurrence for city dwellers. Though it seems the city would wake up to this ugly truth only when serious tragedy occurs. Although accidents seem to be unpredictable, we can reduce their chance by following traffic laws and watching our driving habits. I always break out in a cold sweat when I have to take a motorcycle taxi and I've got to practise my balance when riding pillion. All jokes aside, it's so scary to sit in a small vehicle that swifts through cars and narrow alleys. There was a time when my foot bumped very hard against the wheel arch of a car and that was unforgettably painful.
"I would wish Bangkok to install more crosswalk buttons, providing pedestrians with the ability to activate a pedestrian signal so that we can cross safely. I would like to ask for more overpasses in the city, but I want them to be practical for everyone to use, not the crappy ones we all see on the news. The authorities have done enough of solving problems with band-aid solutions or sweeping them under the rug. There should be a long-term solution to these problems."
Campaigning for safety
What watchdogs think should be done to increase sidewalk and road safety.
- Nalutporn "Nhu" Krairiksh runs a website for people with disabilities, ThisAble.me (fb.com/thisAble.me), where she points out the impractical public facilities for disabled people while experiencing them herself when rolling her wheelchair along the streets.
"Endless traffic accidents in Thailand reflect the risks we take every day when leaving our homes. It's sad to see that society is urged to take heed of the safety of the lives on the roads only when tragedy happens, and it will gradually disappear with time. As I'm a person with disabilities using a wheelchair, I was amazed by how I was once told that the pavements of Bangkok were accessible, meaning we could roll our wheels everywhere in the city. In reality, those paved paths for pedestrians aren't practical for us, or even the public, to walk without a scratch. Sometimes we have to wheel ourselves on the road, sharing routes with cars and motorcycles.
"Freedom and safety of transport on the streets are fundamental human rights. No matter if you are disabled or not, you should be able to travel anywhere safely, without worrying that something bad will happen during your journey. Thailand lacks facilities for people with disabilities. We cannot go around freely in the city by taking public transportation services or wheeling ourselves around on the pavements. From my experience, I could only take the BTS or book a special service to get around the city, all of which leaves a pile of travel bills on my shoulders. I really want a better environment for everyone, where we can access convenient transport so that no one can say, 'People with disabilities are a burden'."
- Sittan "Ueng" Chalongtham runs The Sidewalk (fb.com/thesidewalkthailand) Facebook page, which highlights the unpleasantness that Ueng has discovered along the roads and pavements, bringing up some overlooked woes to the public's eyes while aiming to raise awareness.
"I feel so disappointed in the authorities who are responsible for the one-sided traffic structures for only drivers. I once witnessed a tragedy myself. While I was slowing down my car to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk at the intersection of Yothin and Saphan Khwai Road, the car behind me just rushed up while trying to overtake me. The hotheaded driver knocked over a pedestrian at full speed while their body flew and landed on my bonnet. I understand that the street lights are quite dim, so the driver couldn't be aware that someone was crossing the street. However, everyone should stop their car when they realise an intersection or a crosswalk is ahead of where they are going.
"I don't want to see just more brightened lines on zebra crossings or more road safety campaigns. We did that for years and all the rude awakenings did not last. I want to see a long-term change that is deep-rooted in people's minds. Perhaps we can start by raising awareness of the definition of the road, explaining that roads aren't only for drivers. Pedestrians should be given priority and safety. If we don't recognise the equality of lives on the road, which requires generosity and vigilance on the drivers' part, what else can we hope for?"
- FootpathThaistyle (fb.com/FootpathThaiStyle) is a community on Facebook, run by an anonymous administration, that tracks down the typical absurdity of public facilities in Bangkok. Some will give you a big "Wot?!"
"I've lost count of my eye-rolls while reading about road accidents in Thailand. It seems like we are trapped in an endless and vicious loop of traffic management failure. I feel sorry for all the losses that occurred on the road. I'm trying to accept the fact that it will be my turn someday. Not long ago, I waited for a while, right in the middle of the road, to get from Silom Complex to the other side. The drivers were selfish for not stopping for pedestrians at the zebra crossing. We were halfway through where we were going and standing in the middle of a three-lane road in Silom. At least the reformation of the authorities and police who are involved with traffic management would help. They are the law enforcers with the job of keeping society in order, yet their inaction makes everything seem meaningless."
Crosswalk 2.0?
In the wake of recent accidents, some zebra crossings have been revamped to raise awareness of road safety for pedestrians. Here are a notable few:
Commemorative rabbit-crosswalk for Dr Kratai
The pedestrian crossing in front of the Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute on Phaya Thai Road, where Waraluck Supawatjariyakul was killed, has been improved with a red highlight and pedestrian-crossing signal buttons. Plus, pedestrian-crossing signs, namely in the shape of a rabbit wearing a doctor's costume, have been installed on both sides, allowing pedestrians to hold up the rabbit sign as an indicator that they're crossing.
Chulalongkorn University's 3D pedestrian crossings
The Alumni Association of the Faculty of Architecture of Chulalongkorn University teamed up with Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) to host an annual "3D Crosswalk Competition" for architecture students. The project raised the curtain at precisely the right time when we need safety while at a zebra crossing. There are seven designs that are set to roll out later this year, with a trial one installed between Chamchuri 9 Building and the university's stadium.
The "over-design style" crosswalk of Udon Thani
Thanadorn Phuttharak, mayor of Udon Thani, unveiled photos of wide red-and-white crossings that he called the "over-design style" on his official Facebook page. He is planning to add more over-designed crosswalks on the roads in the municipality, especially in front of schools and hospitals, for maximum safety of pedestrians.
