Mini Van Crash

Post by **Nereus** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:38 pm

Very bad crash scene this morning just opposite the Airport. A Mini Van badly caved in at the front and burnt out. Looks like it hit at least one electric pole, as big crew there trying to repair / replace a pole. I doubt if any occupants in the the front seats would have survived.

Post by **JimmyGreaves** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:42 pm

Feel very sorry for the passengers. I bet one of the U turns was involved!

Post by **hhfarang** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:28 pm

Was it one of the Bangkok-Hua Hin transport mini vans?

Post by **Wanderlust** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:33 pm

We live in Borfai and at about 6.30 this morning our electric went off - I'm wondering if it is connected to this accident? While we often have short power cuts they are never normally at that time. I hope the accident wasn't as bad as it sounds.

Post by **Nereus** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:13 pm

hhfarang wrote:Was it one of the Bangkok-Hua Hin transport mini vans?

Impossible to tell what it was, as completely burnt out. I went past at
9-00 am and the emergency crews where at the scene, but it looked like the fire had been out for some time. I went back past again around
10-30 am and they where still working on it.

It was right in front of that Condo building, just North of Kosol Tire Shop. I don`t think that it was close to the u-turn, very near where the lad that used to work at the radio station was killed.

Post by **charlesh** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:49 pm

According to Thai news at least 1 dead. Allegedly racing with another car (to get pole position). The other car left scene - surprised?
As someone who uses the vans I am not surprised as they have some real f/wits driving them. Would love to report some for dangerous and reckless endangerment - but to who?? And what would they do anyway??
Crammed in like sardines and all systems go!!!!
Feel sorry for the poor bastards who got injured. I wonder if they get compensation????

Post by **Chas** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:46 pm

From what I can gather (Thai news apparently has this info) and it is the talk of the town . . . it was not a Bkk-HH van at all but a private van being driven by someone who was drunk. Evidently those involved were also too drunk to get out before it exploded and died in the fire. .but the driver escaped.. . and is probably out buying a new van as we speak.

But I heartily agree with the sentiments above. Unless absolutely forced into doing so, I won't travel in the vans to Bkk and back because they ARE dangerous, overloaded and driven recklessly . .but this was not one of theirs.

It is too bad that we dont have a real bus line from here to Bangkok . .not that they are safer . .but a big bus is certainly more comfortable and your chances of survival are a little better. Yes .. .I know big buses run . .but I would rather bicycle to Bkk than end up in that dreadful Southern terminal miles from the city and at the mercy of taxi touts.

Post by **PeteC** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:03 am

I'm wondering if it was a vehicle that had been converted to the LPG/NPV fuel? To me those things seem more volatile and likely to explode in a fire. I just don't trust them.

Pete

Post by **ADW** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:58 am

2 dead, one person I work with.

I please ask that nobody jump to any conclusions about the situation on this or any forum, but remember their families and children at this time and give them the strength to get through this.

Post by **miked** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:15 am

Can confirm the van was running on LPG. i did alot of research regarding converting my car to this system but eventually decided against it. do not confuse with CNG/NGV this system is safe.
miked

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:19 pm

Mini van drivers are usually very bad and possess no situational or safety awareness plus the fact that they usually don't own the vans they are attempting to drive in a possessed fashion. I wouldn't get in one and by the look of it in this case the idiot driving the van got out of it without a scratch. Quite why these irresponsible toss*** have to drive so fast is both perplexing and disturbing.

Sad to see incidents like this, from what has been said it's a case of clidren at the wheel.

Post by **Nereus** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:19 am

miked wrote:Can confirm the van was running on LPG. i did alot of research regarding converting my car to this system but eventually decided against it. do not confuse with CNG/NGV this system is safe.
miked

Not to sure what your research has bought up miked, but there are many, probably millions, of vehicles around the world running safely on LPG. The number of new LPG gas stations springing up around Thailand alone, must tell you something.

What part of the system is unsafe, compared to CNG? Both systems use similar components, is as much as there is a gas storage cylinder, pressure reducer / vaporizer, solenoid valves, tubing, ECU and either injectors or or gas mixer.

The big difference is the pressure that the gas is stored at. CNG requires a pressure of around 3,000 psi, where as LPG is stored at around 100 psi.

All current petrol engined vehicles that are converted to LPG retain the petrol tank and system, in fact most of them have to start and run on petrol until the engine / vaporizer warms up. A big percentage of modern cars are running around with plastic petrol tanks: how safe is that?

The only safety disadvantage with LPG is that it is heavier than air, so it will not disperse if there is a leak. CNG is lighter than air, so will tend to rise and disperse.

Like everything else, it needs to be installed and operated in accordance with established rules and regulations. There have been cases of shonky installations in Thailand, but they do have regulations and checks in place, and any established installer will follow the rules. Most of the equipment, both LPG and CNG, used in Thailand is imported from Europe and complies with European regulations.

As far as I am concerned there is much greater risk with the handling and use of cooking gas, which is what LPG is.

Post by **miked** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:05 am

miked wrote:
Can confirm the van was running on LPG. i did alot of research regarding converting my car to this system but eventually decided against it. do not confuse with CNG/NGV this system is safe.
miked

sorry i probably gave a misleading post. my reason for rejecting LPG is that it burns slightly hotter than petrol and imo over time this could cause cylinder head problems.
is it safe.?? probably if the system is installed properly i checked many installation fitters and have to say that not one of them filled me with any confidence.
in the end i just gave up on the idea.
miked

Post by **JAJA** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:25 pm

When driving in Thailand the most dangerous vehicle you will come across are inter city busies. The look inherently unstable and a driven at speeds and in a manner of a Porches by someone who in all probability has consumed something being a performance enhancer or inhibitor. It is best to give such vehicles a very wide berth.

Next are the minivans. Not as bad as the buses and semi normal driving appears to be the norm, but with enough stupidity to ensure that such a vehicle should also be avoided at all cost.

Surprisingly the drivers of heavy trucks a quite polite and sensible

So for a safe journey avoid having your car anywhere near a bus. Take caution with a mini bus, but you can feel safe sharing the highway with a truck. If you don’t drive yourself, hitch hike a ride with a truck.

Post by **Frost** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:49 pm

Do u mean these trucks that often changes to the overtaking lane for u-turn or passing a slower truck at walking pace, without flasher, and while u are driving highspeed towards them to pass them, just a short time before u reach them?

Got some very very precarious situations about that. Looks like u really not drive too muchg in thailand. (Says someone who drives about 30 000km/year with his own car here)

Hua Hin Forum

Mini Van Crash

Mini Van Crash

Not a Hua Hin Bkk van