Attempting to overtake a slow barge in a river bend, he allegedly lost control and the vessel collided with a submerged concrete pillar. Many of the dead victims were children and the elderly occupying the lower deck of the double-decker. Just like its civilian predecessors, the military-run post-coup government has failed to address such chronic lapses in safety in public transport. He also promised more frequent inspections of passenger boats - once every three months rather than the current rate of twice a year - in order to ensure they meet the required standards. Everyone, in fact, should be exercising common sense aboard watercraft, rather than apathetically leaving it to others to protect them.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 21, 2016 15:56 UTC