SEA Adv Ride

upland view

roadside repair

torn boot tape repaired

vientiane promenade

Me and victim name Nang

D+7 (17 Jan)

Cool day start from Vientiane to Thakhek

The accident episode;

About 1230 hrs as I ride pass a village called Siong Hong, Hinbouh district, a group of 4 men wanting to cross the road,out of sudden one of them dashed out towards me and hit the bike left handle bar. He drop, limp and cross the other side of the road. From the rear mirror I saw him push on. I didn't stop fearing the villagers might wallop me. I continued my ride with a view to stop and make police report the next nearest town which is Thakhek (some 30 km away). Half way through there is a road block and the policemen stop me. I knew it, someone would have radio these policemen. Quickly one of them switch off the bike and took the ignition key and ask me to sit in one corner. Wah! here come trouble I said to myself. Be cool and remain composure. I text message my family in Malaysia.
Later, 2 pick-up trucks with 8 peoples came all curious and look at the bike. Some pointed out at the damages on the left fairing, and scratch on the left pannier which they believed impact from the accident. Wow! I didnt came down when the man hit the bike, it was from my previous slip at Kasi. None speak English so, it was like hen and duck. No communication.
It took 2 hours before they want me to go (via sign language) to the nearest police station under escort. At the local police station another hour of waiting for the local police to move and decide what to do. Eventually, they ask me to go to Thakhek police station for further investigation. Why all these stops, wait and see? I dont know.
In Thakhek police station, policemen and onlookers group and look at the bike. 6 policeman conduct Q and A. I was assisted by a local tourist guide who speaks little English. At the end of the investigation I was asked to sign the report. By now its almost sundown and the police tell me the investigation continue the next morning and want me to stay overnite in Thakhek. Since I dont have any refrence or guarantor, they took my international passport, driving license, bike registration, and insurance policy but allow me to keep the bike keys, The bike stay in the police station unlocked.
The police gave me 3 hotel choices; a Malayisan owned, a Vietnam or a local hotel. I choose the local hotel, the cheapest. The police drove me to the hotel. After shower and quick dinner I settled for the night not wanting to think about the accident. By midnight Gary Loh the Riveria Hotel Manager (Malaysian owned) hotel came-by. He was asked by the officer from the Malaysia Embassy in Vientiane to assist me dealing with the accident. Nice of him to come.
The next day, 2 police, Gary and one of his local staff and me went to the police station. There we waited for half an hour before we were told to visit the victim at the hospital. Apparently, the victim were admitted the day of the accident and was treated with 7 stitches on his head, a broken right arm and under right knew injury otherwise he is OK. I sat by his side and we smile at each other. He is in good spirit. By this time, the victim son, insurance agent, a policeman and Gary's staff were discussing about compensation.
In this country, if a motorist hit a pedestrian, the motorist is always wrong. 2 things to handle; the police and the victim. The police will impose penalty and the victim a compensation. First the police say, you pay 20 million KIPS the case is considered solve and you are free to go. What! 20 Million KIPS! Insurance will only pay less than 1 million KIPS (I insured for 1.2 Miilion KIPS). However,Gary advises his staff to bring down the sum. It went down to 13 Million then settled at 12.5 Million. I had to ask my family to credit some cash into my account so that I can withdraw them in Thakhek. Daily withdrawal is limited and I had to seek Gary help to make up the different. By the afternoon, we returned to the police station; the victim representative, me and Gary all sat in line surrounded by 5 policemen. Like a small courtroom. The senior policeman presides the proceeding and decides. I agree to pay compensation of 12.5 million KIPS to the victim; the money is handed over to the victim representative, he recounted and taken. I and the victim representative signed a settlement agreement in front of the senior policeman. Then, the police fine me 18,000 KIPS for traffic offences.I pay up, signed paper and they returned all my document and I am free to go.

Lesson learnt

1. Inform your Embassy and friends (if any) what, where, whither, when, how , why you are in this country
2. Make sure you have all legal document (license, insurance etc)
3. Stay calm and dont look worried
4. Get in touch with family and your nearest Embassy
5. Dont argue with the local authorities
6. Pay up and get back all your document and bike
7. Unless absolutely have to, dont discontinue your adventure; carry on
8. Think positive; if there is a will there is a way out of the thick situation