Thread: 2 Britons killed in Thailand road accident

Tragic eerie reading their website. They travelled so far from Guernsey and no doubt some Chickenhead Thai ended them

sad tidings...

Shit, sad news indeed. I don't really know what to say, cycling can be such a pleasure in Southeast Asia, but there are some fuckwits driving on the road which can make things dangerous.

and

Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, were riding their bikes near the capital Bangkok when they were run over by a pick-up truck.

The couple, from Guernsey, were both talented artists and had set off on their global trip in July 2011.

They were in their 23rd country when the tragedy struck, having already cycled through Europe, the Middle East and China.

Mr Root’s devastated father Jerry yesterday described them as a “golden couple” who “loved life”.

His mum Marian said they had insisted on cycling all the way, despite having to travel through a number of danger hotspots including Iran and Afghanistan.

source

Very sad indeed. To have come so far, through all those countries, only to get run over in Thailand. Our thoughts go out to their families and loved ones. RIP

there's been no Thai media coverage I can find, in either Thai or English language sources.

Read on a (unverified) cycling blog that they were headed to Bangkok having crossed into Sa Kaeo province at Aranyaprathet, and that the accident occurred south-east of Bangkok, in Chachoengsao province, near Phanom Sarakham, and that they were hit by a pickup truck.

Cycling through Thailand, a country where 16,000+ die each year on the roads, is perhaps not a good idea in terms of any risk balance.

Only the deranged or foolhardy would be stupid enough to actually cycle in Bangkok other than on pavements or parks but to think provincial areas with less traffic flow are safer is quite delusional.

If this unfortunate couple had sat down with any expat anywhere here and discussed their plans I rather think the unanimous reaction would have been that they were barking mad to contemplate such a daft idea.

Afghanistan, like all the other truly dreadful places in Africa and the sub continent, has a worse record for fatalities through RTAs but that's because all their modes of transport involve gross overcrowding. Thailand has a much greater spread of threat in that any vehicle in the sticks is, potentially, driven by an imbecile drunk out of his skull.

Originally Posted by thegent

Cycling through Thailand, a country where 16,000+ die each year on the roads, is perhaps not a good idea in terms of any risk balance. Only the deranged or foolhardy would be stupid enough to actually cycle in Bangkok other than on pavements or parks but to think provincial areas with less traffic flow are safer is quite delusional.

My thoughts exactly. The area they were killed in is a huge artery of heavy lorry traffic and is much like the cannonball run

I ride a pushbike around some places in Thailand, and if on a motocy as a clingon I'll wear a full face carbon fibre helmet and pads, otherwise I drive a RAV 4x4 and keep way the fwk away from trucks and 3-4 idiots on motocys.

I'm really careful when approaching every blind curve, they seem to attract Thai corner-cutters.

Heartbreaking. Can´t support the statement of his mom that iran is a danger hotspot, it´s lovely and not really dangerous. In contrast to that cycling in Bangkok seems really dangerous but noone knows the details so it´s difficult to comment.

A buddy of mine on a ride from Hu Hin to Phuket met these two people. He was impressed with their positive personalities and how well-equipped they were - gear-wise.

This is sad news. Riding a bicycle near Bangkok. I would consider such folly myself.

RIP Peter & Mary

Cycled for Months through 23 Countries, then wiped out by some retard on probably the Worlds most dangerous roads.

What a waste, 2 talented people with a lust for life

R.I.P

Originally Posted by trabant

they were headed to Bangkok having crossed into Sa Kaeo province at Aranyaprathet,

Originally Posted by thegent

Only the deranged or foolhardy would be stupid enough to actually cycle in Bangkok

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Riding a bicycle near Bangkok

nasty but they were not in Bangkok

Originally Posted by trabant

killed in an accident in Chachoengsao province

no doubt a friend or relative will start up a blog stating how dangerous it is to cycle in Thailand, and why didn't the FCO warn them?

Just bad luck they were hit by a stupid truck driver

They made it though lots of "sh*thole" developing countries.. Iran Uzbekistan, Vietnam with reletivly dangerous roads etc etc

Nothing on the scale of the braindead chickenhead thai though

Originally Posted by trabant

The accident occurred on Friday at about 2.30pm when a pickup truck ran over Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, while they were riding their bikes in Chachoengsao's Phanom Sarakham district.

The pickup truck driver told police that his vehicle hit the British couple while he was reaching down to pick up something.

Don't know what to say.

What a tragic and totally avoidable end.

This guy needs removing from the gene pool. He should never be allowed to breed.

Thailand - Hub of Retards

Driving without due care and attention,eh?
Whodda thunk it. With no family and both victims dead the chicken head will get off lightly and no compensation to pay.Probably might even wai a tree in thanks for the fact neither survived.

Very sad end to this couple's adventure. RIP.

Originally Posted by thegent

Only the deranged or foolhardy would be stupid enough to actually cycle in Bangkok other than on pavements

You are having a larf ??

Last time I was in BKK you could hardly walk on the pavements amongst the cauldrons of boiling oil + T shirts