Bangkok's 'bodysnatchers' beat traffic to save lives

The 28-year-old is a volunteer for the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, one of several private groups that help Bangkok's rudimentary ambulance services by either ferrying injured people to hospital or taking the dead for autopsy.

"You learn through experience," grins Paitoon, who has no licence or training for emergency driving, as the speedometer hits a terrifying 160 kilometres an hour (100 miles per hour).

This is how he and his girlfriend, who accompanies him in the car, spend every other evening until about 3.00am, after finishing their day jobs.

"I just like the feeling I'm helping people -- and I also enjoy the adrenaline rush," adds Paitoon.

Groups like Ruamkatanyu say they are financed entirely by donations, with many people in predominantly Buddhist Thailand believing that giving money to rescue services will bring them good karma.

The volunteers do the work in their free time. They have received a basic, two-day medical training course but it is down to them to buy their green uniforms, walkie-talkies and flashing lights for their cars.

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