[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Every month the Gazette reports some 900+ accidents and 10 or so deaths from motorbikes. Having seen a dozen of these, it's not a pretty sight.

Limit yourself to short distance daytime trips until you get really comfortable and understand the few rules that are observed. they won't be ones you are used to. Don't start mixing lots of alcohol and bike driving when you first get here...use a motorbike taxi.

One from todays issue , note that he had already had an accident 2 days before.

Swede run over by 10-wheel truck

KARON: A Swedish man was killed instantly on Patak Rd on Friday afternoon after he fell off his motorbike and was run over by a 10-wheel truck.

Tommy Leif Jonsson, 50, was driving a dark blue Yamaha Nouvo motorcycle over the hills between Kata and Chalong when he apparently lost control and fell off his vehicle near the Plub Pla Resort, Lt Col Anek Mongkol of the Chalong Police told the Gazette.

The driver of a 10-wheel truck following him failed to notice the fallen Swede, who was killed instantly when his skull was crushed and both legs broken.

The driver of the truck, 29-year-old Suwanchai Karnprakob, fled the scene in the vehicle, said police.

He was later arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, and released without bail.

According to police, Jonsson was returning to his bungalow in Karon from Chalong Police Station when the accident occurred.

He went to the police station to report a motorbike accident he had just two days before in the hope of having his hospital fee for that accident covered by his insurance.