Thailand News

aussie dollar · #1 04-02-2006, 02:43

Driver dies in third limo smash in 12 days

THALANG: The driver of an airport minibus was killed instantly when his vehicle smashed into a water truck on the airport road yesterday morning. This was the third fatal accident involving airport transport vehicles in just 12 days.

Pol Lt Col Jamroon Plaiduang, an Inspector at Thalang Police Station, told the Gazette that the white minibus, bearing the logo of the Phuket Vehicle Service Co-operative and Confederation, was speeding to the airport when its driver, 35-year-old Phuket native Mana Singkorn, tried to overtake a pickup truck near Wat Tha Reua.

He apparently failed to see a water truck that was moving slowly along the fast lane, watering plants growing in the median strip, and smashed into it. K. Mana, 35, was killed instantly.

On January 22 an airport limousine driver died in a high-speed smash on the edge of Phuket City an d on January 26 a pedestrian was killed by another limousine on the airport road.

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette

Nicke · #2 04-02-2006, 13:47

I am not surprised considering how they drive around here, I really dont feel comfortable myself while I use them due to the speedy, agressive and risky way they drive.

IRISH JONNY · #3 04-02-2006, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

I am not surprised considering how they drive around here, I really dont feel comfortable myself while I use them due to the speedy, agressive and risky way they drive.

AGREE WITH YOU NICKE.....ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY WITH THESE GUYS..THE FASTER THEY GET A JOB DONE........THE MORE PICKUPS THEY CAN DO........AND WITH THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN PHUKET .THEY ARE DRIVING MUCH FASTER NOW.......IJ

steve@thaib · #4 04-02-2006, 18:49

Maybe you need to take control a little bit these days? I've always just let the driver drive so far, but this is starting to look scary

syeatman · #5 04-02-2006, 19:31

I decided a few weeks back to stop using the airport limos for two reasons.

First, they drive far too dangerously, a couple of times I have been with them and they have almost had accidents at speed. Pretty scary stuff, even considering the driving here.

Second, I constantly seem to be getting caught in the stop off trap, where they try to sell you a room. This is even after I tell them that I live in a house in Patong and give them the address. Last time I came back from bkk I met a couple at the airport and they said they were staying in Nanai but didn't have a clue where, so we agreed to share a cab (and the cost). when we stopped for the hard sell I told the lady there that I live here and my friends have a place to stay. Well, I certainly dropped myself in it, as she now said that you are doing a mutli drop so will cost more money. I said bollox, or words to that effect, the guy drives back down Nanai on the way back out of Patong and I get out of the car, 10 sec maximum. That's not a multi drop at a hotel or any waiting around.

Five minutes later we are still arguing it out and my friend just gives the taxi driver 100 Bt and all was sweet. Funnily enough he had quite good english after that and even remembered both the guesthouse and my soi, which seemed to elude him before!

Next time I'll just walk over to the rank and get one from there. Done it in the past and was fine. They don't drive at breakneck speeds and are friendly guys too in my experience.

andy50 · #6 05-02-2006, 01:22

i used the casa summer breeze hotel taxi service to and back
both drivers were quite careful ,
i avoid the minibuses at all cost- or as you say syeatman, a short walk over to the rank is the way to go-

Izzy · #7 05-02-2006, 01:48

How do these guys take to getting asked to drive slower? Just ignore you? Extra Tip incentive an option?

syeatman · #8 05-02-2006, 02:08

Asked once and the guy just laughed back, so I tried again joking with him saying he was crazy driver which worked for a minute, but then as soon as he got on to the next main stretch he was off again.

They seem to play a game sometimes trying to catch their mate up who left a couple of minutes earlier than them.

steve@thaib · #9 05-02-2006, 04:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izeickl

How do these guys take to getting asked to drive slower? Just ignore you? Extra Tip incentive an option?

Maybe enough of a tip to get their attention would work, but if it was costing extra you would be better off taking a cab in the first place.

Izzy · #10 05-02-2006, 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Maybe enough of a tip to get their attention would work, but if it was costing extra you would be better off taking a cab in the first place.

Oh ok, I thought these two were like one in the same...So the limo drivers are closer to the airport doors, cheaper and drive like maniacs, and the cabs/taxis are further out, more expensive and better drivers?

fun2have · #11 05-02-2006, 09:33

never had a problem with limo, motor sai, and taxi meter drivers, i tell them in thai that this life is good, and i am not sure there is a next one, it seems to work and gets a smile from the driver.

even the cycle sam lor get this request to go slow and they love it, and even repeat it to their mates.

but i agree as that road to the airport gets better the locals will just drive faster.

all the messy intersections around BIG C and Tesco worry me when traveling along them.

fun2have · #12 05-02-2006, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izeickl

Oh ok, I thought these two were like one in the same...So the limo drivers are closer to the airport doors, cheaper and drive like maniacs, and the cabs/taxis are further out, more expensive and better drivers?

taxi meters are cheaper, and i prefer them.

Nicke · #13 05-02-2006, 14:23

I have used the taxi meter only once out of curiosity, but I think I will stick to them from now on after my "dangerous ride" one week ago when I come back from KL.

The meter taxis seems to drive lot more normal. They are at airport, you just have to walk to the middle of the parking lot at the left side, or walk just outside the airport and there will be lot more on the main airport road waiting.

ElectrO · #14 05-02-2006, 17:18

Not sure if you remember, but i was at the accident about jan 5th when the Limo Taxi friver was killed hit by a head on BMW. He died instantly, and the 2 passengers ended up in Hopsital for over 2 weeks before flying back to Australia. They had 3 weeks holiday planned in Phuket, and they spent about 30 minutes....

E

Rex7777 · #15 05-02-2006, 19:04

I've seriously considered paying the driver extra to slow down and drive normally. It would probably be money well spent. I wonder what it would be worth? An extra 300 baht?

Rex

nationpal · #16 08-02-2006, 16:06

Fortunately, I use the AIRPORT BUS and drop off at Big C where my GF picks me up....and Yes, I stopped using limo for a long time because of many reasons.

dizbuster · #17 08-02-2006, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex7777

I've seriously considered paying the driver extra to slow down and drive normally. It would probably be money well spent. I wonder what it would be worth? An extra 300 baht?

Rex

Surely a better way is to allot 200baht as an intended tip, but if the driver has a lead foot and goes too fast, tell him to slow down or no tip !! They get tips straight in to their pocket, I'm not sure about payment through their company, maybe they have to wait and only get their money once a week. This would mean that the 200baht "carrot" on offer becomes very attractive to them and therefore the fear of losing their night's "beer money", may just slow them down.

Works for me.