Pattaya —
A tourist from Hong Kong, originally reported as from mainland China, who fell from a Songthaew in Pattaya on Monday has died from his injuries. The driver of the Songthaew has been charged with reckless driving causing death and failing to stop and assist the injured victim.
First our previous story:
Now for our update:
The victim, identified as 48-year-old Mr. Chi Fai Lam, was found unconscious on the side of Pattaya Second Road near the Wat Chai Mongkol Temple intersection on Monday morning, July 22nd. Rescue workers rushed him to Pattaya Hospital, where he was later tragically pronounced dead on the same day.
Pattaya Police collected CCTV footage from the area, which shows Mr. Lam in the back of the Songthaew when he suddenly fell out. The Songthaew driver, later identified as Mr. Thongchai Thongruang, did not stop to help and immediately sped away from the scene, according to the footage and statements from many eyewitnesses.
At around 1 PM on July 22nd, Mr. Thongchai surrendered to Pattaya Police after being contacted by the owner of the Songthaew. He claimed that he was unaware of the incident, stating that he had picked up 7-8 tourists from Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya and dropped them off at Walking Street. He insisted that he saw all passengers get off his vehicle safely and immediately turned himself in after learning from the Songthaew owner that a tourist had fallen from his vehicle.
Mr. Thongchai has been charged with reckless driving causing death and failing to stop to assist the victim or report himself to authorities.
The Pattaya Police are aiding the victim’s wife in seeking compensation from the driver. According to the police, Songthaews typically have insurance under the Protection for Motor Vehicle Victims Act, which covers death compensation up to 500,000 baht.
The victim’s wife (name withheld to protect her privacy) asked authorities to repatriate Mr. Lam’s body for funeral rites in Hong Kong. The Pattaya Police will facilitate her coordination with the embassy on July 23rd, 2024. The man was reportedly a member of law enforcement in Hong Kong.
In response to this incident, Pattaya Tourist Police and city officials plan to convene a meeting with Songthaew drivers to enforce stricter safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future.
The Pattaya News notes that safety on baht buses has come up a number of times over the years and this is not the first time a tourist has fallen off the back of a baht bus and died. In 2019, another tourist from Hong Kong died after falling from one in Jomtien.
In February of 2023 Thailand passed a law banning standing on the back of Baht buses. However, enforcement is widely perceived as lax.
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