A bit dramatic there. Im a emergency first responder instructor here in thailand and have been for 30 years it used to be like you say but not anymore. If you choose to help someone in an accident here in Thailand you are not going to be held liable unless you do something that puts the person at greater risk, causing more harm. If you are trained then help if you feel comfortable doing so. The emergency services here are genrally done on a voluntary basis they are however quick to respond call 1669 from any phone and they will help to find help for you this is for any emergency.. Obviously english is limited.
20yrs ago, whilst i was in Thailand I saw a mother running up the road with her infant in her arms, desperately trying to get someone to help. I wanted to stop and help, but my friend explained that i would be liable if i did....... Now I've broken a few laws in my time, but I've never felt as guilty as I did for obeying this one and not trying to help this poor mother and child!😢
This is great information. Great efforts to put this video together 👍 We hit 10k ...i am so happy.. Congratulations Sam.... wishing you many many more success..🎉
That’s not right, according to Thai law whoever sees any person in life-threatening danger, in spite of the ability to assist without fear of danger to oneself or the another person, refuses to render assistance shall be guilty. So you can help anyone in life threatening such as in accident but If unsure about first aid process you can instead call 1669 for assistance.
Same law in the Philippines. If there is an accident people will just stand around and not tend to the person. The ambulances here are just vans to transport the person to a hospital. Sadly too many do not make it because no aid was given to the injured person.
WOW !!! I had no idea that was the law there ! As a former Army medic, I've stopped for numerous roadside emergencies, even delivered a baby once. I'd have not thought twice about doing the same there without this video. thank you brother !!! safe journey
In Thailand, no laws prohibit bystanders from helping accident victims. While people are often eager to assist, many lack the knowledge and skills to perform first aid. As a result, they usually call an ambulance rather than get directly involved, knowing that improper treatment could worsen the situation. No one will blame you if you are trained and offer help before the first responders arrive. There are many examples of good Samaritans stepping in during car accidents in Thailand.
I'm always moved by people having the competency and the will to help in any kind of emergency. That kind of spirit and the sense of responsibility it displays is what once made our society great.
In China bystanders often refuse to help victims of road accidents for (among other reasons) this reason. After 22 years holidaying in Thailand, I was NOT aware of this applying to Thailand as well. 😳 Thank you for a very informative video. 🙏
In Thailand, stopping to help victims of an accident won't land you in jail. The real concern could arise if corrupt police officers target you, especially if you're a foreigner. If you have a dash cam or body cam that can serve as critical evidence, simply hand it over to the police. That's why having a camera is important. Unlike the US, Thailand doesn't have a Good Samaritan Law. It's wise to protect yourself from potentially becoming a victim of circumstances. .
So true. I was unaware. I am an ex-career firefighter. In Thailand, approx 10 times a year. My natural instinct is 25 years drilled into me to assist. Which I have done in the past. I did not know this law (in all cases, they lived). I often wondered why lots of film clips show victims lying there, and nobody tries to help in any way.
I completely understand your feeling .Saw a bad accident on Samui few months ago. I was the only one trying to help but bar girls and thai bystanders pulling me away. Worst feeling ever
In Thailand, stopping to help victims of an accident won't land you in jail. The real concern could arise if corrupt police officers target you, especially if you're a foreigner. If you have a dash cam or body cam that can serve as critical evidence, simply hand it over to the police. That's why having a camera is important. Unlike the US, Thailand doesn't have a Good Samaritan Law. It's wise to protect yourself from potentially becoming a victim of circumstances.
I have been working as an ALS paramedic in Canada for 20 years, and I have to point out some life-threatening issues with your process. First, the acronym we use is A.B.C.C. Airway Breathing C-Spine, Circulation. First, always check the Airway for obstruction, confirm they are breathing, check the C spine( C 3-4-5), and finally, Circulation. Before you ever start CPR, you always establish the patient C spine is stable and fixed because if you perform cpr on someone in a motorcycle accident say, you can damage the section of the spine that controls breathing. Imagine flipping over an injured motorist without protecting his neck and spine, and you inadvetinly paralyze him.We have a rhyme. C 3-4-5 keeps the diaphragm alive. This is because the nerves that come from the c spine control the diaphragm for breathing. Remember Christopher Reeve. This is why he was in a vent due to damage to his C spine and last is Circulation you must confirm the Circulation of blood and the patient does mot have a severe bleed as CPR will only push the blood out of the body and not provide adequate Oxegen to the brain and body. If the blood is not taken care of first, you will just pump the remaining blood to the bleeding sites. Now, this doesn't mean any bleed, more like a severe arterial bleed. Now, every situation is different, but this is standard in the USA and Canada, and we are lucky here to have The Good Samaritan Laws to protect us from prosecution in case while trying to save someone we cause harm.
I appreciate your contribution and expertise 🙏🏻 I know nothing about C spine intervention but will guarantee there’s not many motorists here that have an emergency collar or tourniquet tucked under the seat for a rainy day.
I remember hearing a story about a tourist who was in a Thai Taxi. The taxi driver had an accident and the tourist had to pay. The logic was that, the accident would not have happened if the tourist had not used the taxi...
That's hearsay and cannot confirm it was true. It's hard to believe that the passenger was at fault in the accident when he wasn't the driver. In Thailand, no laws prohibit bystanders from helping accident victims. While people are often eager to assist, many lack the knowledge and skills to perform first aid. As a result, they usually call an ambulance rather than get directly involved, knowing that improper treatment could worsen the situation. No one will blame you if you are trained and offer help before the first responders arrive. There are many examples of good Samaritans stepping in during car accidents in Thailand.
Hi! You're making a great video again, thank you. Your documentary style videos are very professional made. I strongly advise you to create a separate channel for these videos so that you keep them separate from the regular vlog videos. You have very good documentary qualities and you bring up subjects you have good insight into. You should continue making such quality documentaries. Keep it going!!!👍
If you are a foreigner in a country where language is a barrier, miscommunication can sometimes become an issue. The police might not know who is at fault, and you might end up spending time at the police station explaining the story to officers who might not understand you clearly. However, at the end of the day, no one will put you in jail for helping someone.
Respect to you bringing this up. I work in a psychiatric hospital, and am a first responder with CPR training. I’m also a regular visitor to Thailand and this is the first time I’ve heard about this, and how first responders have no protection. I’m thankful I’ve never witnessed an accident there, as I know I would respond, and to be honest, now that I know this, I would still administer first aid, regardless of my potential liability, it’s just my instinct, I wouldn’t be able to stand back and wait. I hope someone in government in Thailand has the sense to do something to change this (but it’s Thailand, so I’m not optimistic), I’m a firm believer that basic first aid training should be a mandatory part of the curriculum in every school.
very true about the liability issue, I remember being in Chiang Mai years ago and saw a similar situation to you described, and exactly what your partner said happened, not that I was a doctor or really in any way able to help beyond wanting to help and but was told to just leave him there. You won't change it though... one of the things about Thailand you need to live with or it will get to you
If you are a foreigner in a country where language is a barrier, miscommunication can sometimes become an issue. The police might not know who is at fault, and you might end up spending time at the police station explaining the story to officers who might not understand you clearly. However, at the end of the day, no one will put you in jail for helping someone. There are no laws that prohibit or punish anyone who offers help. Even though we don't have a Good Samaritan Law like in America, offering medical assistance within one’s capability is acceptable.
Same thing happened to me in Pattaya a few years ago. With my gf on a bike taxi & we passed a woman who had been hit by a car while riding her motorbike. I’m fully trained in first aid too, when I told the driver to stop my gf said no, we can’t, I was frantic to help her but both my gf & bike taxi driver refused to stop. We got to my friends bar & I wanted to go back, but they all told me not to, so I didn’t. I found out later that night that the lady had died & to this day it still haunts me what might of happened if I had of stopped. She was severely injured & I had no idea how long it had been since the accident has occurred when we arrived & now knowing this it is probably better that we didn’t stop. But mate I know exactly how you feel 😢
I had no idea about this issue. I am a former LEO and I tend to run towards the issue, not away. Just like you have learned to do. This bothers me deep down. I really don't know what I would do.
That is one of most craziest things I ever heard Sammy. Had you not brought this to our attention this could potentially be a huge problem for a person only trying to do the next right thing. Thanks Sammy, very interesting but extremely shocking to me...
In Thailand, no laws prohibit bystanders from helping accident victims. While people are often eager to assist, many lack the knowledge and skills to perform first aid. As a result, they usually call an ambulance rather than get directly involved, knowing that improper treatment could worsen the situation. No one will blame you if you are trained and offer help before the first responders arrive. There are many examples of good Samaritans stepping in during car accidents in Thailand.
If you are a foreigner in a country where language is a barrier, miscommunication can sometimes become an issue. The police might not know who is at fault, and you might end up spending time at the police station explaining the story to officers who might not understand you clearly. However, at the end of the day, no one will put you in jail for helping someone.
I was walking in Bangkok on Sukhumvit, the traffic was so bad and cars were not making way for the ambulance, I out walked the ambulance. And, it had to do a u-turn and it finally caught up to me, since I crossed the road.
Saw so many near accidents in Thailand that I was always going through my training in my head ready to be a first responder if required. Screw that. Thanks for the vid 🙏
Same here in Japan , wife stopped me pulling someone out of a car with a fuel leak. Simply had to await for the police they awaited for the firefighters. Yeah it is what it is. We have a crash near family mart nearly every two months. It’s just not worth it in the end. I like to keep my visa and out of Japanese prisons. It’s that simple but it is what it is. I too am/was a certified first responder back home it kills me too have to be Japanese not Australian but I’m in Japan. Glade you did a video like this any knowledge is better then none.
That's similar to a "lost in translation" or a "communication breakdown." At the end of the day, you were not a victim of an unjust system and were released. Miscommunication can happen anywhere in the world.
Really valuable information in this video, Sam. So much excellent advice not usually mentioned - like volume of blood loss etc. Thanks man. In the opening video though it seems that your friend tried to veer across lanes of traffic so regardless of whether he was indicating, the accident was his own fault. If you're turning left, you should be in the left lane. That's not only common sense, but the law...although maybe not in Thailand!
Regardless if you are Aussie, First Aid trained or not, general human nature is to help for 99% of people. This is astounding that this law exists in a country like Thailand! I am completely shocked!
I didn't know about this even though I lived in Thailand for 4 years and also drive in traffic every day. good video, and good advice on the first aid👍
I am a retired 30+year firefighter paramedic from America living in Thailand. And fortunately/unfortunately was educated on this law and was told basically don’t get involved because once you do, you’ve taken responsibility for their health, live or die and any medical expenses involved. Luckily, I have not encountered an experience like that because obviously it would be hard to walk away. Also be careful of giving medical advice in your video, they might hold you responsible for that too. You were right about direct pressure, that’s the first treatment. But a tourniquet is the last resort after direct pressure and then using pressure points and if all else fails using a tourniquet might save the life but lose the limb. Anyway, I’m just saying I have 30 years experience and teaching certifications, but I’m not a certified instructor in any country now and they might hold you responsible for posting a medical treatments.
Thanks Sam. I was unaware that the "Good Samaritan" protective clause is not part of the law in Thailand. Notwithstanding I will give first responder aid in a situation where it is required. Being a retired Clinical Nurse Consultant with 40 years experience would offer me defense if my bona fides were challenged.
😎👍🇺🇲 That explains why the death rate is so high there. I think it's the highest fatality rate in the world or at least in the top 3. In the US we have laws to protect the bystander providing first aid to avoid that exact thing.
There's so such law, it's more in the way of if you can help but you deny to do so then yea, you can have a problem, and if you've decided to help, you just need to be sure if you know what you are doing plus if you decided to help you need to do it till the procedure will be done, you can't just leave in the middle, that's the law, so actually you're free to help in those emergency cases, and if in that case you see that there's nothing you can help or do more, then just help by calling an ambulance that's all
Second day in Thailand,come across road accident,was told don't stop drive around,after 15 years living in Thailand it still against my principals to not assist,but unfortunately that what have to accept.With ambulance response,there was guy hit by truck close to our house,the driver did not stop,the ambulance took 40 minutes to arrive,police a hour to turn up,sadly the boy died probably might be saved if could administer aid.😢
Have heard horror stories from China and Vietnam - where people who tried to help were then held accountable and were forced to pay insurance and medical costs for the span of the recovery or at worst, for the rest of the injured person's life if they were left permanently disabled from the accident.
In Thailand, no laws prohibit bystanders from helping accident victims. While people are often eager to assist, many lack the knowledge and skills to perform first aid. As a result, they usually call an ambulance rather than get directly involved, knowing that improper treatment could worsen the situation. No one will blame you if you are trained and offer help before the first responders arrive. There are many examples of good Samaritans stepping in during car accidents in Thailand.
@@weekdaycycling Do you have a link to the Good Samaritan laws in Thailand that protect those who try to help? Without legal protection the situation can turn into a bribe opportunity for the police and other unpleasant outcomes.
7years ago I had a motorcycle accident on me driving to fast the Thai helped me and took me to hospital but no police turned up I never ride a bike again only a car for me
Awesome vid mate and we were told similar info about arriving at a scene by mates who'd been here a long time. As a lifeguard we did a lot of 1st responder training etc but UK courses tell you not to use tourniquet. This is something i argued against as the 1st role is to save a life, not the limb. Anyways great vid and I'll share it round my farang friends 👍🏻
After over a decade living here, I had no idea. Thanks for sharing. In other countries you'd be put in jail for the complete opposite: Non-assistance to people in danger...
As a Thai, I have never heard stories of individuals offering first aid to car accident victims becoming victims of the justice system. It's more about miscommunication. Thai people may have limited access to first-aid training, but performing CPR is allowed within their capability. Recently, a Thai grandmother sustained an electrocution victim by performing CPR. She saved his life and was praised across the internet. She mentioned that she learned CPR from RU-vid.
Bloody hell some of their laws are so draconian!!!! I did not know this one at all, and like you mate I would have been in there up to elbows in blood. I have seen a couple of stacks while there but nothing major as yet, will have to put this into the memory banks unfortunately.. :(
Ok so latest update is, there have been amendments to the laws (or lack of protective laws as the case actually was). Thai law now states bystanders can intervene. But that message is NOT getting through to the people in any way. I have canvased the populous, from all walks and the enduring sentiment is - don’t go near it. The fear of civil litigation is massive also
Great information Sam. As aussies visiting Thailand for 11 years, we love the place. Many people call AUS a nanny country. But many need protecting from them selves and harming others through education and law enforcement. eg Helmet/speed/seatbelt/drink or drug driving/ phone use whilst driving or riding..........even if it seems draconian. I don't hire a scooter in Thai city's. Too scetchy for my liking.
Maybe its difficult to explain not seeing the full vid but if your friend moved left into the other drivers path to do a uturn to get a better angle then ........ ......... would be better to see at least a full minuet before the event
Shit. I didn't know this 1 & like you I had to deal with some pretty bad shit with people injuring themselves or staff that got injured. It's going to be hard not to help when we know it could make the difference. Good vlog Sam
Stumbled upon this video and happy I did. I've been used to jumping in and helping people for 35+ years. Good to know I need to be careful trying to help someone in Thailand. Even knowing this, I'm not sure i could walk away from someone seriously injured. Much to ponder now... 🤔
@@jjstravelandadventures I’m hearing word that the law has changed after all these years, so the general public can assist without risk of life imprisonment. Keep you posted
Great info, I was totally unaware of not being protected, although suspected it mite be that way. We are lucky to be protected by the Good Samaritan act in UK.
Very interesting as you say never thought about this as in Australia you are protected but it is something to keep in mind in other countries. With first aid training and carry a small trauma kit with me.
What law? Just the opposite is true, you *must* render aid when appropriate: According to the Criminal Code: Misdemeanors (Sections 367-374) "Whoever sees any person in life-threatening danger, in spite of the ability to assist without fear of danger to oneself or the another person, REFUSES to render assistance shall be liable to imprisonment for not more than one month, or a fine not exceeding one thousand baht or both."
It was just an attention-grabbing title. Within the video I’ve tried to elaborate on the important stuff which is - a deeply engrained culture of fear of litigation thus hands-off injured parties. Unfortunately without the elaborate title the video will simply sit on the shelves gathering dust.
Stumbled upon your video and for obvious reasons it caught my attention. Counting amount of blood loss using fists was interesting. Never seen that method before. Using blue liquid to represent what 500ml or 1500ml etc of blood loss looks like also interesting for visuals. You mention that a "lay" person not trained in F/A should not administer aid to anyone they come across in an accident then why give the F/A advise ? You tell them how to treat major bleeds but yet also say do not intervene ? I assume that those of us trained in "F/A" can an should administer aid if an accident scene presents its self and we will be free from any civil/criminal prosecution ? I would perhaps put a disclaimer in your comments stating the advice you give is not meant as any official training or legal advice and you are not responsible for any outcomes or actions of your viewers etc. Something to protect yourself. Cheers.
thanks for sharing and some of the comments below contradict if giving medical aid is or can become a legal matter, i myself am first aid trained and have never had to give any aid more than cuts etc nothing life threatening, but would find it difficult to standby and watch someone whose life was in danger without offering aid, thailand needs to start addressing their road safety perhaps it should be taught in schools along with some basic first aid, but thats another whole new topic and will take years to come into common practice , cheers
@@johnhaynes1832 She’s been soooo hectic getting the house ready. I’ve been putting together a full house Reno film from beginning to end. 1 week and she’s on the market! 6 months of hell haha
So sad to hear Thais evade responsibility to fellow humans Sammy ! I’ve had the privilege in saving lives in many ways you have demonstrated on this vlog ❤
