ChristianPFC gets hit by a car
Lame attention grabbing, no injury, I am fine. No reason to rejoice for those who don't like my lifestyle, my writing style or the mere fact that I stay in Thailand.
Sunday 11.10.2014
Walking along Ramkhamhaeng Soi 53 (one of the many sois in
Bangkok that have no sidewalk or the sidewalk is completely blocked by parked
cars or mocy or street stalls). I am walking on the road, on the left side,
i.e. I don’t see cars coming from behind, but they can see me.
A car drives past and touches me (elbow, hip, calf). I am
fine (slight discoloration of skin on elbow and calf, the following days I have
an unpleasant feeling when poke my finger into my hip), but the side mirror of the car
hangs down (and I can see that part of the plastic is broken). The driver stops and
excuses, I say I am fine (in Thai and English, driver speaks English), and
after showing my elbow and calf as proof I continue my way. No exchange of contact details.
The driver came from behind me, so he must have seen me, I
am totally innocent by my standards. But let me get out of this situation as
long as I am the victim, before the driver decides I jumped in front of his
car, broke his side mirror and now owe him a new car.
This is the first time I got hit by a car. Better to walk on
the right side (so I can see oncoming traffic) and carry my bag away from the
road (to prevent snatch theft or the straps of my bag getting caught in a car
or mocy, which would pull me to the ground and drag me along).
The writing is on the wall: pedestrians live dangerously in Bangkok, and one day will get hit again while looking at a cute boy or playing on my mobile phone.
A note on jaywalking: Crossing a multi-lane street in
vicinity of a pedestrian overpass is not worth it. Dangerous and you have to
wait longer for a gap than walking to the overpass (personal experience).
2 years in Thailand:
Almost got robbed twice, almost got bitten by soi dog twice,
got hit by a car once.
32 years in Europe:
None of the above.
That can be mainly attributed to different lifestyle.
Health-wise, a similar picture. In Thailand two ear infections that required medical attention, in Europe one. I got as many colds in Thailand (about 10) as the rest of my life in Europe. As many sunburns in Thailand (about 5 to 10) as the rest of my life in Europe. I remember one diarrhea in Europe, and had 5 to 10 (mostly mild, one but one required medical attention) in Thailand.
There is one positive: I haven't vomited once in Thailand, but about 5 times in Europe (one alcohol overdose, others food related).
That can be mainly attributed to different lifestyle.
Health-wise, a similar picture. In Thailand two ear infections that required medical attention, in Europe one. I got as many colds in Thailand (about 10) as the rest of my life in Europe. As many sunburns in Thailand (about 5 to 10) as the rest of my life in Europe. I remember one diarrhea in Europe, and had 5 to 10 (mostly mild, one but one required medical attention) in Thailand.
There is one positive: I haven't vomited once in Thailand, but about 5 times in Europe (one alcohol overdose, others food related).
Copyright 2014 ChristianPFC
Were there witnesses?
ReplyDeleteDid you fall?
Was the driver alone, drunk?
eduard
There were witnesses. I didn't fall. Driver wasn't drunk and there was at least one other person in the car, on the seat next to the driver (didn't look at back seats).
DeleteThanks for the medical update.
ReplyDeleteThanks for warning, I also always walk on the left if walking on the street / road without pavement, habit grounded by living in country driving on the right.
ReplyDeleteThis can be dangerous in left driving place as your misfortune shows.
It's all a question of luck or karma, depending on what you choose to believe. Some drivers are just unbelievable, no matter what precautions you take they might well hit you nevertheless. As for your accident, luckily it could have been worse.
ReplyDeleteMy stats after 8 years: Zero accidents, zero illnesses that required medical attention, zero robbery attempts, BUT countless hangovers to screw up my vomit counter.
Christian: Sorry to hear about your accident & glad to hear that it was not too serious. Take care & stay healthy!
ReplyDeleteYou have been lucky to have to deal with a level headed driver. You could have come across a crazy one who could have threatened you in a very bad way.
ReplyDeleteThis could have turned out much worse. I'm just glad you're okay Christian!
ReplyDelete