E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Jerry Root / AP
British couple Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, pose in an undated photo. They were killed in Thailand in a road accident during their round-the-world cycling odyssey.
A British couple's round-the-world cycling odyssey ended in tragedy when both of them were killed in a road accident in Thailand.
Peter Root and Mary Thompson, who had been chronicling their journey in a blog, died Wednesday when they were hit by a pickup truck in a province east of Bangkok, Thai police said Monday.
The couple, both 34 and from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, left Britain in July 2011 and had cycled through Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and China.
The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the couple, who met in art school and spent six years saving money and planning their journey, Peter's father Jerry Root told the Associated Press in an interview.
"They were both inspirational," Jerry Root said. "They didn't just talk about it, they did it. I couldn't be prouder of them."
He said they were both experienced cyclists who knew the rigors and risks of extended bicycle travel.
"They were camping wild, as they called it," he said. "What helps me is to think of how happy they were with each other. They were leading the life they wanted to. It was the happiest, the most fruitful of lives."
The couple had been posting photos and details of their trip on the website Two on Four Wheels. They also had many followers on Twitter and Facebook who were tracing their journey and vicariously enjoying their adventure, which included a trip through remote parts of Central Asia.
A video they posted from that part of the journey shows them camping in the desert, riding through hills, stopping to swim in rivers and lakes, and braving heavy snowstorms. They also cycle through tense situations as armed conflict breaks out during their journey through Tajikistan.
Watch World News videos on NBCNews.com
There is also footage showing Thompson suffering a gash to her knee after an apparent collision with a truck.
The couple look tanned, joyous and relaxed — if a bit windblown — in the footage. It is apparent life on the road agreed with them.
"They never talked about the trip as having a destination or a deadline or a time scale," said Ben Thompson, Mary's brother. "They didn't have firm plans, they had rough ideas. They just loved people. They were always dragging people to the campfire to share a story and a beer and some food."
After Southeast Asia, the couple were planning to make their way to New Zealand for a brief respite, he said.
Thai Police Lt. Col. Supachai Luangsukcharoen said Monday that investigators found their bodies, their bicycles and their belongings scattered along a roadside, along with a pickup truck that crashed between some trees.
Supachai said the truck driver, 25-year-old Worapong Sangkhawat, was seriously injured in the crash. He told police his truck hit the cyclists as he was reaching down to pick up a cap from the vehicle's floor, Supachai said.
The driver has been released on bail and faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Police said the couple's bodies were being kept at a rescue unit in Chachoengsao, 20 miles (30 kilometers) east of Bangkok, until they could be repatriated.
Leave a Comment:
at least they died doing what they loved. better than having a coronary sitting at work.
I agree. My only thought from the picture is that Mr. has got to have the largest head I've ever seen on a person.
I'm definately a cynical a-hole, but I'm curious if it was really an accident. Tourists seem to be getting picked off more and more.
Dick, (Head?!) LOL
Did it ever occur to you that she may have the smallest head you've ever seen on a person?
What a terrible shame man.
You know?! Whyisit that we read stories like this and violence all the time but hardly ever, read stories of people like these guys when they were doing their thing and still alive.
RIP Mr. & Mrs. Thompson. I'm sure you guys were an inspiration to many of your followers...
At least it was an accident and not some awful people killing them on purpose... yes, big adventures carry big risks... salutation to the Departed...
I suspect on many of the roads they were riding, there is no right or left, only the lane where a vehicle can drive.... What a shame. But they did more living in their 34 years than most people who live to be 90 do. I say a toast to them and a celebration of 34 well lived years! Quality, not quantity!
So true, MG71. May they both rest in peace.
BANKROBERT: #1.3
On purpose? Did you miss the part about the pickup being crashed and the driver being seriously hurt.....as well as being charged with a violation which could put him in jail for 10 years?????????
Sounds deliberate to me. That's the problem with cynics...read a story with a preconceived idea and and only retain the part that re-enforces cynicism. Same with all negative thinking.
Not much consolation perhaps, but they died doing what they loved with the person they loved...they died together. RIP.
"I hate the law that says bikes have to travel the same direction as the cars.
"I would much prefer to travel with the ability to see cars coming."
There are two good reasons to ride with traffic: cars turning left, and cars turning right. Watch drivers at a stop sign. If they stop at the sign intending to turn right, where are they most likely to be looking? To the left. A cyclist riding on his left on the cross street would go right where the driver isn't looking and is about to pull out at high speed when that gap in traffic comes along.
Now watch a driver wanting to make a left, and waiting for the gap in oncoming traffic. Where is he looking? Straight ahead, and a cyclist on the left may not be seen until the driver is halfway across the lane of the oncoming traffic, or later.
It isn't crazy to require cyclists to go with traffic. A mirror or frequent looks over the shoulder (plus not riding with an iPod) helps keep track of traffic from behind. I commute by bicycle sometimes, and it's not the traffic behind me that I worry about most.
Coincidences happen, or is it the cycle of the world, moving what must be moved, when it must:
The couple was in their mid-30's, when the brains and bodies of both male and female have reached maximum maturity.
They were together (soul-mates?)
Doing what they enjoyed doing.
They were in Thailand, home of one of the largest Buddhist communities in the world.
They died together. May they continue to be happy together in the next life, Nirvana, Heaven, eternity, (whatever.)
One of the problems of biking against the flow of traffic is at intersections. Motorists aren't expecting traffic approaching from the right and so don't look in that direction. Gnerally speaking, most accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles occur at intersections, though increasingly accidents are occurring due to distracted drivers (texting) as well as those who are DUI.
an additional thought for Gumps, and this is from someone who loves cycling.
then there are those stupid cyclists who insist of drifting into the middle of the 50 mph country road, going maybe 10-15 mph just as you round a curve and another oncoming car is in the opposite lane....it happens every warms day of the year on my way to or from work.
then they get all offended when you just saved their life and tell their asses belong on the side of the road.
OK - I spend a lot of time in Thailand (6 weeks a year, anyway). I refer to Thai traffic as "controlled chaos". I'm reluctant to even ride a motocy (that's the Thai for a small motorcycle) much more than a mile or so. I have a fold-up bike that I had thought about taking - but it's just TOO DAMNED DANGEROUS. Of course, IF you want traffic where it is just "chaos" try Cambodia
dave, yes its true that many bicyclists do indeed cause, or at least contribute greatly to accidents. Just this morning, I pulled out in front of a cyclist - it was dark, the street was poorly illuminated and the cyclist was wearing dark clothing and no lights... I just didn't see him until I detected his movement in my peripheral vision. Fortunately he was going slow and was far enough that no collision occurred.
But in the case at hand, the couple were extremely experienced cyclists. I suspect that they just got caught in a bad situation. There are places where no cyclist is safe....
I have been living and riding a motorcycle here in Thailand for a year now and some of the drivers here seem to hate bikes and motorcycles and will try and scare you off their road, these guys will drive as fast as they can all the time and if your trying to make a little room for yourself your in big trouble.
It was probably intentional. I know that if I were driving a truck in Thailand, I'd crash into some trees and seriously injure myself, while simultaneously risking 10 years in prison just so I could kill a couple of tourist. But hey, that's just me.
But Dave-[high number], if you round a corner too fast to see what's ahead of you and stop, you're going too fast. There are also deer, farm equipment, and stuff that falls off of trucks. A few months back, I drove around a corner and suddenly had to stop for a boulder that fell off a cliff.
I have been living in Thailand for over 8+years and have driven cars & ridden motorbikes all over the Country, including Bangkok. I currently have both a Thai motorbike & car license...
The law of MASS & SPEED is the rule in Thailand, if they are bigger &/or faster than YOU, YOU are EXPECTED to get out of the way...
Center-lines are just suggestions and faster traffic overtaking on-coming vehicles, have the right-of-way. They EXPECT YOU and the slower vehicle, to drive on the shoulder, so the FASTER vehicle can pass. Not knowing this Thai right-of-way will get YOU and others KILLED...
If a Thai riding a motorbike hits YOU. YOU are EXPECTED to buy them a new bike and pay for medical/ALL lost wages. Truck drivers have been know to 'back-over' a downed bike rider - it is cheaper to bury them than to pay the expenses. My brother in law is a commercial truck driver in Thailand...
The civil penalties in Thailand, after a vehicle ACCIDENT, includes; medical expenses & payments for lost wages while recovering &/or family compensation for lost FUTURE INCOME - if disability or death occurs...
If you are not willing to play by these simple rules. Hiring a Taxi or a Thai diver is very inexpensive...
BTY - A Farang is ALWAYS the one @ fault, so pay the other people involved and leave prior to the POLICE arriving. When the POLICE become involved, it just cost MORE, you then get to GO to JAIL until YOU post a VERY LARGE Bond and Tea Money. You will still be found GUILTY...
Farangs choose to live in Thailand to take advantage and exploit the low cost of living and easy access to sex service which the farangs found it hard in their own country due to old age, physical impairment or obesity.
Yet they have the audacity to compain of the seemingly "unfair" treatment in the hands of the local authority of law. Bear in mind no one forces them to stay and if they do not like the system, get the hell out of the country.
It is not unusual that visitors to US also receive unfair treatment in the hands of the immigration officers, particularly people of middle east or Indian/Pakistan stocks. They are often subject to strip search and harassment.
This happens around the world on a daily basis. Momentary acts of stupidity and inattention by drivers often result in tragic death.
Henrich von Dorf,
If you do not know the LOCAL driving habits of the country you are in, you will get yourself and others KILLED...
I have no complains and would rather deal with the Thai POLICE than the US, Middle East or other Asian authorities...
But I would not drive in Canada either until I knew the accepted habits and requirments for a SAFE trip. And I'm not talking about the Dope that flows freely in Canada...
BTY - I walked 18km on my 63rd birthday, last year. Plus my 40+year old wife of 8+years has no complains on my 73+kilo weight and taking ZERO medications. Same weight when I graduated UMSC Boot Camp in 1972... Ha! Ha!
You are right I do not complain about: my 2,000+sq ft house - we built for $50,000+USD, $30+month electric bill, NO TAXES, FREE Medical and food bills of $200+month...
AC Robertson,
How much did your wife cost? I've been thinking about getting one of those little yoys for myself.
She's 25 years younger than you, right? What does am 18-year-old piece of Thai meat go for these days?
CockCheney,
Come to Thailand, we have a place in Bangkok Bang Kwang Prison for those that like to play with our children. Inside Building 10, prisoners are held in solitary confinement in pitch black cells two metres square wearing "elephant chains" for months on end. The first three+months leg-chains are MANDITORY. That is if you survive to see JAIL...
Nice thing about the Thai POLICE, they like to settle things at their level or let the families fix the problem...
That is reminiscent to the story of my life.
Henrich von Dorf,
We probably have more IN-COMMON that differences...
When you are on a ridge line, looking down into the valley. The valley looks the same from either ridge, just a different perspective...
You can enjoy your COLD, I will enjoy the higher temps...
Have a Happy New Year, filled with GOOD LUCK and PEACE in both our NEW & Former Homelands...
Regards - ACR Jr
1. Agree
2. You too.
Though I am sure their families are grieving, they hopefully are at peace with the knowledge they died doing something they loved. We should all be so lucky. RIP to the both of them.
We should all be so lucky? I would prefer to live doing something I don't enjoy.
My question to you then, is that living? Or just surviving?
I want to die like my grandfather - quietly in his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the rest of the passengers in his car.......
Westbury64, that might possibly be the saddest comment I have ever read.
MabaSploom
Living is a condition where something has biological processes that distinguish from inanimate of dead things. So yes westbury64 is certainly living. Surviving indicates some sort of struggle or to out live something else. So hes most likely living but only surviving in the sense that hes beating these two cyclists.
RIP. It was an enormous amount of risk. Cycling through the world's roads means increasing your risk of death manyfold. Even cycling through regular roads, in developed countries is dangerous, let alone cycling in ASIA and other countries!. They died doing what they loved. thats what matters. I do hope they did not have children.
Actually, other places in the world are more apt to share the road, on a daily - functional basis, with bicycles and other non-motorized modes of transportation than in the US/developed countries. "Regular roads, in developed countries" can be more dangerous because fewer people use bicycles as a regular means of transportation -- and in the U.S. the obsession with the automobile has prioritized funding for car use - not other modes. Only now are some cities installing dedicated bicycle lanes. People in "Asia and other countries", in an overly generalized statement, still make reliance upon the bicycle as a regular means of transportation, i.e. lots of bicycles etc out and about on the roads. It doesn't automatically make the roads safer - but nor does it make the roads, by default, less safe!
The unfortunate and sole truth is that bicycles (and the people that ride) are always going to loose an argument with a car/truck -- no matter in which country the road is located.
I've lost several friends over the years to bicycle -vs- car accidents. Here in the US too many drivers just don't seem to notice bicyclists until it's too late.
I would go even further ang, and say that the US is ESPECIALLY dangerous. The obsession with the car and a baffling assumption that the convenience of the car driver trumps the safety of the bike rider has bred a nation of bike haters. Building roads that don't have obvious provisions for bikes and no driver education program through the media (like drunk driving/anti-smoking/etc.) has exacerbated the problem.
A smaller percentage of the population purposefully targets bikes for harassment, these folks where apparently not given enough attention as children or were beat up too often at school. See the post by Johnny7777 below as evidence to support this conclusion. Who wants to bet he has a licensed and drives regularly?
People here don't not see bikes, they just constantly purposefully drive too close to them. 3 feet needs to be the law everywhere and enforced but it is not. Respect for people on bikes would be nice too. They would break a lot fewer traffic laws if they were not constantly in fear of being run down or grazed and knocked over.
Anybody who only drives a car and thinks the bikers don't respect you doesn't get it. Just because somebody you passed by sometime before was an idiot on a bike doesn't mean most are nor does it mean the one you are about to pass is.
Would that thinking work for cars of a certain color or model? Then why is it so often used for bikes?
people do not pay attention period!!!
Driving is a VERY serious business!!!
Biker4life,
I agree with you that biking on US streets is very dangerous. If fact if you ride on US streets its only a matter of time ... So I don't do it. No matter how at fault the car is, the driver is not the one who gets killed.
Well first off RIP to the cyclits killed. They died doing what they loved. I am quite surte they would rather stil be doing it but if you have to go do so doing what you loved.
Now tha being said, biker4life you are aare I am sure that a road was built for cars and trucks to travel on right? And that gas taxes, and excise taxes pay to create and maintain roads correct? I dont know about wheer you lve but where I do we do not have bike taxes to build and maintain bike lanes. I am all for cycling and have no ill will towards those that do it, except for the dbags who think they own the road or ride 2 o3 3 abreast and force traffic to a stand still. BUt we have the same riding in cars no doubt. But the fact remains that roads are intended for travel by car and truck almost entirely. If you can devise a way to build your own bike roads and pay for it from the cycling community then by all means do so.
RDH, I've been riding bicycles since I was a kid, and I just turned 62. I've ridden in California (North and South), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado and Texas. I've had my share of accidents - due to mechanical failures (broken bottom bracket spindle, steerer tube/fork crown separation), pilot error (losing control on mountain descents), road/weather conditions (ice, strong winds, brake fluid on the pavement), and collisions with motor vehicles (taxi, bus, landscape truck, passenger car). Somehow, I've survived them all with only a single broken bone (broke my thumb). Through all of this, I've learned lessons and became more defensive. I haven't had an accident in four years - my last was due to a teenage girl who pulled out from a Stop Sign in front of me.
Despite these mishaps, the benefits I'v enjoyed from cycling far outweigh the risks and the injuries. You can sit at home safe and sound or you can take some risk and live a fuller life - the choice is yours...
The problem with this philosophy, Gumps, is that you are not simply risking your own life. When riding on roads that are built for cars and not for bikes (I'm sorry, white paint on the edge of a lane saying "bikes only" does not magically turn the road into a bike-safe road), you not only risk your own safety, but the safety of the folks in the autos, who suddenly must swerve into opposing traffic or off the road to avoid a wobbly biker or biker they could not see in the dark.
I'm terrified when I see bikers on the side of the road as I drive. The potential for someone being gravely injured or killed is tremendous, and if I accidentally hit a biker--even if he/she is too far over in the lane--I'm the one who would probably be considered at fault.
No the benefits of biking are not worth the risks to others on the road, even if you don't care about yourself. I agree with the poster who said that instead of bikers forcing their way onto roads built for autos and paid for by auto gas taxes, let the bikers pay a bike tax that will then be used to build real, safe biking lanes--more like the ones they have in some other countries.
Good gawd Lisa, complaint about bikes in your way, then claim somehow it's their fault when you lose control of your car?
It's good that you are terrified, drive accordingly. Slow down. Maintain control of your vehicle. Pass only when it is safe and there is plenty of room. Bikes don't ride 'too far' over. They ride as far as is necessary to safely navigate the road, even to the center line if necessary, which is exactly what the law allows.
Will this take you longer? Yes. Is it the law in every state? Yes.
This is exactly my point, how dare the car driver be inconvenienced by the presence of the biker! Maybe if all car drivers learned how to drive around bikes instead of acting impatient and pissed off it would be safe for all of you to ride a bike on the roads too. Maybe then the obesity rate wouldn't be exploding.
The law says that bikes are allowed on the road, may use all of the lane if necessary and that all cars and other vehicles must pass safely. If you don't like it get the law changed. Until then comply.
Lisa, just because roads are "built for cars" is no reason to exclude bicycles. A bicyclist rides on the shoulder/bike lane out of the path of traffic. The only time we compete for the same space is when we come to intersections - in such cases the rules of the road come into play and are the same whether you're dealing with motorcycles, scooters, farm equipment, or bicycles.
Safety is a two way street and attitude plays a major role for both cyclist and motorist. Sadly, the attitude you expressed above suggests to me that you are not a particularly safe driver:
How many "wobbly" cyclists have you seen? Even if you came upon one, you would swerve into opposing traffic to avoid one? A safe driver would slow and wait for a safe opportunity to pass if there wasn't enough room to change lanes or otherwise get around. But both you and I know that this is a situation you contrived to (unsuccessfully) make your point.
If you could not see a cyclist in the dark, it may be that he/she did not have lights, in which case, the cyclist would be at fault. You may be partially at fault - it would depend on the circumstances.
Why is that? They are not in your path.
Again, that would depend on the circumstances. There could be several legitimate reasons why a cyclist is in the traffic lane - avoiding debris/potholes, a parked vehicle; or he may be moving over into a left turn lane. It is up to you to be aware of conditions and take appropriate measures. Ditto for the cyclist. Collisions occur when one or both parties break the law.
By the way, in all of the motor vehicle/bicycle accidents I was involved in, all the motorists were at fault and were cited.
Webba - Our fuel taxes and registration fees do not pay for the roads. Roads are heavily subsidized by income and property taxes, and in many or most states, fuel taxes are commingled with other state taxes. If fuel tax did actually cover the cost of the roads, you would be either paying European-style fuel taxes, or driving on unpaved roads that don't get snowplowed.
I have ridden motorcycles all over the World and I learned to ride in the USA, during the 60s...
I have found the USA was then and now more so, the most DANGEROUS for motorcycles and bikes. With today's US 'brain dead' Drivers/cellphone users, I will NEVER ride a motorcycle again in the USA...
Most of the highways and main roads in Thailand have VERY WIDE paved shoulders. These are for the numerous motorbikes and small three-wheel motorized vehicles. Unfortunatly these are also used by LARGER vehicles going in the OPPOSITE Direction and faster vehicles avoiding slower vehicles...
Driving in Thailand is an ADVENTURE, but driving in BKK involves a Death Wish... Ha! Ha!
@Webba - Actually it was the league of American Wheelmen that got paved roads in the US. Cars have benefited from that effort for over a century. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_American_Bicyclists
The US is probably the most dangerous place to cycle due to out "entitlement mindset" created since FDR and exacerbated by most administrations since, especially the current one. Most drivers are okay, a few take on that air and yell at you to "get on the sidewalk" which is of course, illegal but I bet they don't know that too.
As a member of RUSA and ultracyclist I know firsthand the dangers of US roadways, I'll take the calculated risk of that versus coronary eating wings watching football and yelling at the screen.
Most important my heart goes out to the families but I do believe that when this couple passed they were happy and lived a dream that was reality.
If bikers want to share the road, then they too should be required to be licenced and have insurance -and when they violate the rules of the road they should be ticketed with he potential for loosing their licence just like drivers.
When you stop to think about all the horrible ways death can claim you, it makes me smile just a little bit when someone dies doing something they love and that fulfills a dream. May they RIP. May the driver find peace as well - it was an accident and nothing he did intentionally.
The crazy thing is the driver may actually get a longer sentence in Thailand than he would here in the States. Distracted driving causing death isn't a specific crime I know of in most states...yet!
Friend of a friend is in the hospital with many crushed bones. Driving his motorcycle, doing everything right and a punk in a PU truck runs a stop sign. Like the truck driver in this story, the guy wasn't paying attention, making no effort to do it right. Ends up ruining the life of someone else. Distracted drivers in the US is epidemic.
vox, i take it you have never heard of vehicular homicide? a crime in almost every state. sentencing is anywhere from 2-30 years.
Oh - I heard of a traffic accident that was come upon by a "farang" (that's a "westerner") in a TAXI. They stopped and waited. AFTER they found out that the cab had a farang, the ACCIDENT BECAME HIS FAULT (he was on a business trip so they held him until his company paid the fine...and for the damage, too. Thai cops are NOTORIOUSLY corrupt
put a fork in it,
I know the father of a BKK POLICEMAN, he sends money to his son so he can support his family of 4, that lives in BKK. His son's POLICE wages are 20,000 baht ($600+USD) a month...
Most of the POLICE I know will accept Tea Money in exchange for issuing a minor ticket or a trip to Judge/POLICE Station...
There are NOTABLE exceptions, but most Thai POLICE are very helpful to the Foreign visitor. I have even received TOURs escorted by them and recommendations on where to go &/or stay away from...
UNLIKE how the US POLICE or State Troopers treat a US Citizen. Unless you are:
A Kennedy or the US Senator who KILLED a motorcycle rider, while they were DRUNK and driving...
you can say that but the son of the founder of Red Bull will probably get off with nothing more than a maybe a "sen baht" fine. YOU or I would be locked up (unless we could pay a substantial amount of money) Funny, though - you mentioned before about getting hit by as motogy and how much it would cost - happened to me 6 years ago in Pattaya. Crossed Tanon Pattaya Dtai and when I stepped on the sidewalk i was run down by a motocy. I'm a farang YAI, so he lost control and crashed - I went down and knocked out - woke up in the Thai version of an ambulance - a rescue pickup with a gurney in the back about a minute away from Pattaya Memorial. Turned out that it was a TAILOR SHOP'S bike making a delivery, it happened 30 meters from a couple of tum ruat (who as it happens had told the driver NOT TO RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK THE DAY BEFORE BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET HURT) Anyway - the tailor shop paid my bill (all 2000 baht of it - x-rays, 23 stitches and meds) )went down to the police station at soi 9 and beach and made a report the same night. The driver was fined 400 baht and he had a broken arm and broken leg, too (the tailor shop owner was there - I'm wondering if the reason I was treated so well was that the owner was INDIAN) It REALLY makes a difference being able to pood Thai (even if not fluently) I'm considering a retirement visa. I love the place.
if the bidnessmen are so smart, why don't they boycott the corrupt countries - oh yeah, I forgot. Paying the bribe makes em feel special, besides, they fold it in the prices of the junk they sell in the US and nobody is the wiser.
put a fork in it,
I haven't travelled to Pattaya in many years. The family and I went there once for a Holiday on the beach...
It has now grow-up into a small BKK, with too many Farangs and Chinese tourist. I prefer the Isan area; with its mountains, small villages and few Farangs...
But living in ANY Foreign Country, it will take time to integrate into the local society and accept YOUR NEW way of life...
Whether people choose to or not, they will go through four stages of acculturation. ELATION, RESISTANCE, TRANSFORMATION and INTEGRATION. An individual usually embraces life overseas, no longer wanting to return to the "average", "boring" lifestyle back home. They usually put down people back home whom they see as naive or narrow-minded. But this is also just a stage, prior to INTEGRATION...
Farangs with RETIREMENT/Marrage Visas are restricted in WORKING or even conducting Charity WORK for FREE. Violating this will result in JAIL, DEPORTATION and NO future Thai Visa. Currently the Aussie farmers have found that raising fish is now considered WORK & they/their wife can lose their farms if they sell fish...
Interesting Thai LAWs:
1. If your spouse is convicted of a CRIME, YOU are also CHARGED with the same crime. A criminal record will also result in - NO future Thai Visa...
2. A Farang can not own land in Thailand. Your Thai wife can not buy land unless she can prove she received NO MONEY from YOU for the purchase. The way around this are:
a. To give her the money and buy the land prior to your Marriage... Ha! Ha!
b. To buy the land in your Thai childrens name...
c. Marry a woman with MONEY and Land...
YOU will still lose the land &/or house if you decide to DIVORCE...
If you decide to live here, KNOW the LAWS and live in the area you want to buy or settle in for @ least a YEAR, prior to making an INVESTMENT...
BTY - The 90+day Immigration checks are a pain in the A$$, along with the US Embassy run every year for your 'INCOME Verification', prior to receiving a NEW - One Year Thai Visa. Current Retirement income requirements for those OVER 50:
Good Luck and have FUN...
Bad luck! RIP
"The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the couple." You got that right. Most only get one chance to bleed out on concrete. Not something I would enjoy.
what a @!$%#ing dick you are
Its sad to think that if that happen here,, that the person who killed the bikers Might just Might,, get a year in Prison,.. Rip in peace,, You two look like fun loving couple,
LoL how fitting. Who the hell cares about these crazy hippie fruitcakes and their retarded biking adventure. That pickup truck did them some poetic justice.
I know you're a troll, but a pretty pathetic one. Hope you find happiness and a life somewhere along the line.
Johnny, what a nice sentiment. Bet all of your friends can't wait to invite you to get togethers since you're such a ray of sunshine and certainly the life of the party.
maybe if Johnny is lucky, some texting driver will make road tar out of him and put him out of his misery
Johnny 7777:
Come on johnny, what's the problem???
Obvious Troll is Obvious
so sad...rest in peace
LoL how fitting. Who the hell cares about these crazy hippie fruitcakes and their bicycling adventure. They're dumb enough to think they can cycle 'round the world and they got what they deserved. That pickup trick did 'em some poetic justice.
I'm glad your brain is not in my head.
Johnny7777: If only you knew how much of an ignorant moron you are... (Sigh)
Troll fail repeating yourself
I must echo Falco's comment in regard to Johnny 7777's comments... When I ride my bike, his kind are my worse fear. Either he had no proper upbringing, he was oxygen deprived at birth, fried his brain on drugs, or he's just an a__hole... I hope he one day (the sooner the better), has some sort of epiphany and sees the light ~
Fascinating people. Bet they were great conversationalists. Really too bad.
I wonder if the driver was reaching down for his 'lucky' hat...
But any rate... just goes to show that distracted drivers kill... this means YOU who drive with a cellphone to their ear, or tuning a radio, or reaching for your hat..... doesn't matter. You're an accident waiting to happen.
Johnny7777 is such a sad little man. Shame on him.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away".
As tragic as this is, it does not come as a surprise, I was in Thailand and I can tell you the drivers there are freaking crazy. Pedestrian safety is definitely not on their minds.
Politics Suck,Pedestrians and bicyclists are not safe on American roads either.The driver was distracted same as motorists everywhere are.A sad ending to two young beautiful people lives.
Although this situation was a distracted driver, there ARE bikers getting hit by drivers who are NOT distracted, but who are just put into impossible situations by trying to avoid wobbly bikes in the dark on one side, while not hitting the opposing traffic coming at them in the other direction. Accidents waiting to happen. Foolish, foolish practice to allow bikes on the same road as two ton vehicles.
We already covered that in your previous post. Again, your response to the "wobbly biker" scenario is both foolish and dangerous. Swerving is not your only option; if you think it is, then perhaps you should consider giving up driving, because you're a potential menace behind the wheel.
You know Lisa, it seems obvious but I'll spell it out for you:
When you see this 'impossible' situation, slow your car before passing the bike. Wait until opposing traffic is clear and there is plenty of room to pass safely. Then pass the bicycle leaving 3 feet of room between your vehicle and his.
The operative words here are SLOW DOWN. The situation you describe is not appropriately handled by you trying to stuff yourself between the bike and opposing traffic. This is why many bikers will ride out in the lane when necessary, to prevent drivers like you from bouncing them off their mirror or fender.
It's the law. Learn about car and bike laws for your own legal protection if nothing else. If car drivers actually knew the laws they would be shocked at how ILLEGALLY they have been driving around bikes.
What a wonderful life that they had.They saved up for their bicycle trip and were happy tooling around the world.We should all be so lucky as to experience our own inner happiness by setting a goal and accomplishing it.
I knew a fellow who died while masterbating. At least he died doing something he loved.
Died of a stroke?
At least they passed doing what they loved and with each other, they seemed to look like a very loving couple enjoying their life together, what more can one ask, RIP!
The guy who ran them over said he had leaned down in his vehicle to pick up a cap. Could he not see them before he was close enough to hit them? Surely he could have. Why did he take his eyes off the road just at that moment? Seems odd to me.
Thailand, Vietnam, Russia - watch some traffic videos from these places on YouTube sometime and tell me you'd ever think about bicycling there! In Russia they have some busy intersections four lanes wide with no traffic signals or stop signs.
Thailand is notorious for its awful drivers, I know two people who were vacationing there and hurt badly by Thais just pulling out from a side street not even looking.
Jean-Nixon,Are you serious?People do that everyday in California.Motorists in SUV' and pick up trucks come roaring out of shopping centers onto the streets cutting me off.I drive a sports car. People who drive big vehicles are bullies on the road.An article was done by AAA about this very subject.
"When fate decrees a person to die in a certain place, it drives them to seek that place" Sad situation, may they find peace and happiness.
My cousin in law got ran over in Thailand (while biking) also, was put in a vegetative state. I've been there myself; the driving over there is crazy, which is why I love it.
@Crubs: You love the kind of driving that left your cousin-in-law in a vegetative state and killed this lovely couple? All I can say is you're one sick puppy.
The THREE leading causes of DEATH in Thailand for a Farang:
1. Riding a motorbike/bike...
2. Combining - Thai woman, alcohol and Viagra...
3. Taking a long walk on a high balcony...
Or you could sit on your FAT A$$ behind a computer monitor and die due to 'Heart disease'. I prefer taking my chances with # 1 & 2 is not applicable, I do not drink alcohol...
oh, I dunno about that - I bring a bottle of better tequila with me - had a great party last year for wun gurt.
RIP to two adventurers, and may they contiune their adventure riding through heaven!
I also ride, in fact, I commute everyday. However, I know the danger out there, and I be sporting bright lights up front and in back, and on my helmet. I am talking 1500 lums in pairs up front. At night, they are on full blast, during the day, the front burners are on blinky, and the rear is blinking. IMO, if those two riders had bright lights front and rear, chances are the driver would have saw them beforehand. I get a lot of critics saying my lights are blinding. To devil with that, cars dont give bikes any rightaways. Most of the time they don't see them. My lights make sure I am seen, and they allow me to see at night.
Didn't mean to vent, but lights on bicycles prevent deaths on bicycles.!!
Eventually, they HAD to know they'd run out of solid land. I mean, even Magellan knew not to take the overland route, and that was like a thousand years before Google Earth!
The UK passed a Law requiring motorcycle headlights to be ON - ALL the time. Decades ago...
This saved many lives, until the US manufactured vehicles started arriving with their headlights constantly ON. The UK motorcycle death rates then INCREASED back to their original numbers...
The most effective bike lights I have seen in Thailand are the multi-color blinking diodes. Unfortunately many bike riders & motorbikes in Thailand have NO operating lights...
and then there's this tendency for riders to put something into the basket of the front of bike and OBSCURE the damned headlight
Yes - You have experianced the REAL Thailand...
after 10 years at 2x/year I'm "comfortable". I spend most of my time in Chanthaburi - crystallography is my hobby
The cyberdict helps quite a bit too - I can read but the vocabulary leaves me looking up a lot of words