Vans the most dangerous public passenger vehicles in Thailand in 2016

If you have ever taken a passenger van in Thailand, then it probably comes as no surprise that they have been declared the most dangerous form of public transportation during 2016. Speaking from my own experience, the drivers are often maniacs. They drive too fast, tailgate and overtake on blind bends and on the brow of hills. They always seem to be in a rush. In addition, many of the vans are overcrowded which means that even if the seatbelts are working, there isn’t enough for everyone. The recent crash in Chonburi has highlighted the dangers yet again. I am not sure if anything will be done, but there is talk that they will phase out passenger vans in favour of buses for any long distance journeys.

Here is the Top 3 of the most dangerous forms of public transport for January to November 2016:

  1. Passenger vans: 103 dead and 1,102 injured in 215
  2. Tour buses: 56 dead and 1,252 injured in 141 accidents
  3. Taxis: 7 dead and 84 injured in 77 accidents

The infographic above shows the number of accidents and fatalities for passenger vans over the last six years:

2011: 62 deaths and 136 injuries in 42 accidents
2012: 50 deaths and 300 injuries in 50 accidents
2013: 35 deaths and 218 injuries in 55 accidents
2014: 36 deaths and 231 injuries in 133 accidents
2015: 104 deaths and 847 injuries in 98 injuries
2016: 103 deaths and 1,102 injuries in 215 accidents

Source: ThaiPBS

2 thoughts on “Vans the most dangerous public passenger vehicles in Thailand in 2016

  • January 8, 2017 at 3:18 pm
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    About five years ago, I took a van from Penang to Hat Yai. The driver was doing about 150km/hr most of the way. At one point he swerved to overtake another vehicle and the van almost toppled. Everyone screamed. Since then, I have avoided vans whenever possible. A slower vehicle is less likely to kill you in a crash! Been in Thailand 12 years now.

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  • January 4, 2017 at 12:22 pm
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    And I’m prepared to bet that none of them are fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC, ESP, DSC). Wikipedia cites a study that shows a 67% reduction in SUV accidents when fitted with ESC. But of course, Thai drivers are experts, and don’t need any of these modern aids like ABS and ESC, which would help avoid accidents where the driver looses control and skids into on-coming traffic.

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