A FOREIGN COUPLE holidaying in Chiang Mai got injured after the front wheel of their motorcycle got stuck in a hole dug in a Chiang Mai road to put electrical wires underground causing them to somersault down, Amarin TV said today (Mar. 24).
The unidentified couple from Hungary were riding along a road around the outer moat of this northern city near Chang Phueak Gate when they fell into a 50-by-50cm hole that is also around 50cm deep at approximately 6.20 p.m. last evening.
Another passing vehicle’s car camera captured the accident and the driver quickly shared photos online with a warning that roads in Chiang Mai’s municipal area, particularly those around the moat, are dangerous because of drilling operations to lay pipelines and bury electrical cables.
While these holes were covered this was not done with the safety of road users in mind, he added.
This post was quickly shared and attracted a lot of comments, with the majority blaming the contractors and Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn for not taking care of the safety of the people in this northern city with such accidents having occurred repeatedly for many years.
It was pointed out that while the road drilling work was mostly done at night with these holes being covered when morning approached to open the way for traffic, the roads are now bumpy and there have been many accidents despite metal sheets covering them.
At some spots no barricades were placed to block the holes endangering the road users.
As for the Hungarian couple, Chiang Mai Governor Nirat ordered the Provincial Electricity Authority, the project owner, to visit them and give compensation as well as ensure the best possible care. They will be fully reimbursed for medical expenses and repair of the motorcycle.
This TV station’s reporters visited the area where the accident occurred this morning and saw that barricades had been placed around the hole the couple fell into with action taken to quickly repair it.
However they found that most other roads around the moat are still in the same condition, with holes and potholes in them and some left that way without any paving or the placing of barricades.
CAPTION:
The Hungarian couple riding their motorcycle and the hole they fell into. Photo: Amarin TV
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