The following is an extract from an article in the English language 'Hua Hin Today' paper. The article was titled 'Beware: Train Accidents Haunting Hua Hin' and describes the concerns of Khun Vichai Choo-Chumporn, the Hua Hin train station conductor (station master?) who recently released a press release following a number of fatal accidents at crossings. The exclamation marks are my own.
"So many lives were lost that that I have lost count of them all (!!!). The city is growing. There are more people in Hua Hin than before and these things usually happen (!!!). The tracks are often used as shortcuts. These hazards on the track are also very dangerous for the trains." Mr Vichai also mentioned that there are such things as ghosts, or other supernatural phenomenon at work. "It might be haunted, who knows, and people should also be mindful about what they are doing." He added also that there has to be some sort of scientific explanation.
I am not sure if there are trains at night but presumably the 'scientific explanation' would be the non-existent lighting, barriers and non-reflective signs at the level crossing points I was using last week! Of course, the real reason though is the ghosts!
The Haunted Railway
The level crossings at HH are 'protected', meaning there is an actual barrier that comes down to prevent traffic from passing when the train goes through. (Nothing to do with ghosts)
It is the ignorant attitude of people that get them killed. Even in broad daylight. What the station master has said is true, the casualty level is high. A few months ago someone got hit by a train at the Petchburi road level crossing (in Bangkok, just opposite TOPs supermarket) just when everyone was going to work. It was down, but she just walked around it and got hit. She's not the first.
Three months ago three people I know got killed at an unprotected (no barrier) level crossing up North; the one survivor is in a wheelchair and can't remember anyone.
Two years ago the crossbar at the level crossing in Lopburi got bent; the guy in the car tried to beat the thing coming down and got his car roof bent into the bargain. Lucky for him trains drive slowly in town, it's one of the few stations where all trains have to stop.
In front of the Hua Mark station, or go look around Bobey market, it's similar, people set up stalls selling fruit, veggies etc and sometimes have to move out of the way because of the train. Don Muang, just on the other side of the International Airport, is another example. They even put up wooden step-ladders so people can climb over the barriers, walk across the track, and over the next barrier.
And there is no insurance paid out, and the railways will sue you for damage. Sad but true.
It is the ignorant attitude of people that get them killed. Even in broad daylight. What the station master has said is true, the casualty level is high. A few months ago someone got hit by a train at the Petchburi road level crossing (in Bangkok, just opposite TOPs supermarket) just when everyone was going to work. It was down, but she just walked around it and got hit. She's not the first.
Three months ago three people I know got killed at an unprotected (no barrier) level crossing up North; the one survivor is in a wheelchair and can't remember anyone.
Two years ago the crossbar at the level crossing in Lopburi got bent; the guy in the car tried to beat the thing coming down and got his car roof bent into the bargain. Lucky for him trains drive slowly in town, it's one of the few stations where all trains have to stop.
In front of the Hua Mark station, or go look around Bobey market, it's similar, people set up stalls selling fruit, veggies etc and sometimes have to move out of the way because of the train. Don Muang, just on the other side of the International Airport, is another example. They even put up wooden step-ladders so people can climb over the barriers, walk across the track, and over the next barrier.
And there is no insurance paid out, and the railways will sue you for damage. Sad but true.
Vincent,
I don't doubt that what you say is true. The Thai sense of self preservation does not seem to be as well developed as my own!
However, I have to pick you up on something: there are no barriers, no lights and the signs are invisible in the pitch black of night at the crossing I was using last week at Soi 102. I assume there are plenty of similar ones at Soi 102/1, Soi 100, Soi 104 etc. As you may know, there is alot of residential development going on in those areas at the moment. More houses = more people = more traffic = more potential accidents. At night you only see the crossing as you are almost upon it. A simple thing like reflective road signs would make a big difference, even if it is only farangs that would take any notice of them!
I don't doubt that what you say is true. The Thai sense of self preservation does not seem to be as well developed as my own!
However, I have to pick you up on something: there are no barriers, no lights and the signs are invisible in the pitch black of night at the crossing I was using last week at Soi 102. I assume there are plenty of similar ones at Soi 102/1, Soi 100, Soi 104 etc. As you may know, there is alot of residential development going on in those areas at the moment. More houses = more people = more traffic = more potential accidents. At night you only see the crossing as you are almost upon it. A simple thing like reflective road signs would make a big difference, even if it is only farangs that would take any notice of them!
Jaime,
I don't make it down to HH more than twice to three times a year, so I am not familiar with the level of development going on. And it's normally with the wife and kids so we'll find someplace near the beach to spend the weekend. In fact, I may just be in Cha-am this weekend.
You're right about there being a fairly high number of crossings without barriers.
The crossings with barriers are manned, and are either hand-operated or electrical. It is not possible to man all the crossings, and the casualty level would be much higher if automatic crossings were installed.
The railway maintenance people just slap any cheap paint on, so the reflective coating it originally came with is buried under a few more coatings of paint. There is also a high level of pilferage, I have heard of a complete signal head being taken. It is difficult to blame them as the railways do have a limited budget and are still the cheapest (but not necessarily the most convenient) form of transport in the country. To their credit, they also have their maintenance inspectors walking the lines every day. Do spare a thought for the poor blokes who have got to sit in those huts day in, day out, wondering what carnage they would see on any particular day. One of those people mentioned earlier in the post still has some of her brains drying in the sun at the level crossing where she got hit by the train. So do understand why ghosts are mentioned in the article.
I've seen a bit of an effort (at least around Bangkok and up North) to install flashing LED lights about 200 meters before each crossing, it would probably be a matter of time before they do show up down South.
I don't make it down to HH more than twice to three times a year, so I am not familiar with the level of development going on. And it's normally with the wife and kids so we'll find someplace near the beach to spend the weekend. In fact, I may just be in Cha-am this weekend.
You're right about there being a fairly high number of crossings without barriers.
The crossings with barriers are manned, and are either hand-operated or electrical. It is not possible to man all the crossings, and the casualty level would be much higher if automatic crossings were installed.
The railway maintenance people just slap any cheap paint on, so the reflective coating it originally came with is buried under a few more coatings of paint. There is also a high level of pilferage, I have heard of a complete signal head being taken. It is difficult to blame them as the railways do have a limited budget and are still the cheapest (but not necessarily the most convenient) form of transport in the country. To their credit, they also have their maintenance inspectors walking the lines every day. Do spare a thought for the poor blokes who have got to sit in those huts day in, day out, wondering what carnage they would see on any particular day. One of those people mentioned earlier in the post still has some of her brains drying in the sun at the level crossing where she got hit by the train. So do understand why ghosts are mentioned in the article.
I've seen a bit of an effort (at least around Bangkok and up North) to install flashing LED lights about 200 meters before each crossing, it would probably be a matter of time before they do show up down South.