The wild and wet festival of Songkran came to an end and miraculously, just like Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut said was his aim, there were no reported deaths. Incredible and wonderful news indeed.
However, it is important to bear in mind that there have been no official release of road death monthly statistics in Phuket since April.
Whether this ‘figure’ of zero deaths was down to the wet weather forcing a lacklustre turnout for the festivities, the Governor’s plan of action, or the fact that deaths, regardless of whether they’re as a result of road accidents or not, are not recorded as such unless they actually die at the scene of the accident (and not for example in the ambulance on the way to the hospital), will be known by only the few.
Ironically, this week in Phuket was also characterised by tales of other road accidents – of an Englishman who swerved to avoid a cat, who is thankfully in hospital and on the road to recovery, and of an American who also survived after being knocked from his motorbike over eight months ago.
He was badly injured, and remains in hospital, seriously disabled. Struggling to raise the necessary funds to pay the hospital bills and return to his American hometown, he is currently appealing for assistance.
These stories seemed to bring out the compassion in readers who by and large rushed to leave positive comments and even in the latter case, pledged to help by raising donations and sharing the story among their circle of online friends.
In fact, there was a marked difference in the comments left on thephuketnews.com between this week and the last one. Whether that was because of the types of stories reported on, or the type of people attracted to post on certain types of stories, will only be known by those behind them.
While we’re on the subject though, whether it be intelligent, liberal, right wing, or head-scratchingly ignorant, every comment is valid – as long as it is not libellous, racist or offensive in some way.
As such, we welcome everyone’s opinion here at The Phuket News.