Drunk Swedish Diplomat Runs Checkpoint

george · August 27, 2005

Diplomat runs checkpoint

BANGKOK: -- A Swedish diplomatic official, allegedly driving while drunk, tried to jump a police checkpoint and later threatened officers, police said yesterday.

Adam Grimla, who works for the Royal Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, refused to stop at a checkpoint outside Siam Hotel on Phetburi Road, whereupon Sgt-Major Surasak Tiaochaiyapum and Lance-Corporal Boworn Ponrit gave chase, according to the police report. Surasak said that during the chase Grimla suddenly stepped on the brake of his Honda Accord in an apparent attempt to provoke a rear-end collision with the pursuing police car.

The officer added that he had barely managed to avert a crash.

A subsequent breathalyser test showed the Swede had a blood-alcohol content of 90mg, which indicated he was under the influence.

Grimla was taken for questioning to Makkasan police station, where he showed police officers his official name card and allegedly threatened to pull strings with powerful friends to have the officers involved transferred to the deep South in retaliation.

He also allegedly roughed up a photographer for the Kom Chud Luek newspaper, who tried to take his picture. During the scuffle the photographer suffered bruises under his left eyebrow.

--The Nation 2005-08-28

dr_Pat_Pong · August 28, 2005

Depending on his rank in the Embassy, he's most likely off the hook. Thailand could revoke his accreditation and he'd have to go home. Even that's unlikely. ( Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Privileges )

chuchok · August 28, 2005

Probably not the smartest thing to do, but great to hear that the photographer got a smack in the melon.Pesky , rude buggers.

I wonder if the Diplomat realised that failure to "blow in the bag" is only a THB1500 fine!

ovenman · August 28, 2005

Depending on his rank in the Embassy, he's most likely off the hook.

Wouldn't that have also been the case had he stopped for the checkpoint and beeen found to be under the influence?

midas · August 28, 2005

Many countries now regard driving while intoxicated to be a very serious offense because it potentially risks the lives of other innocent people. Do people on this forum think it is fair and just for a " Diplomat " to think he or she can simply do anything that breaks the law and just get away with it by hiding behind the " diplomatic status " ? I certainly dont !!

It`s different for minor offenses such as parking fines and such things but to do all the things this person did in connection with this offense - i certainly believe he or she should immediately be sent packing back to Sweden.

dr_Pat_Pong · August 28, 2005

Depending on his rank in the Embassy, he's most likely off the hook.

Wouldn't that have also been the case had he stopped for the checkpoint and beeen found to be under the influence?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Same same

carlthailand · August 28, 2005

I was reading an article the other day and they interviewed 4 Thai celebreties.

The question was if you were driving home drunk and needed to go to the toilet. Would you stop at a closed petrol station.

Now not one of the people said that they wouldn't drive drunk. They all gave their answer like "I would .......

Not very good role models.

C

chuchok · August 28, 2005

Many countries now regard driving while intoxicated to be a very serious offense because it potentially risks the lives of other innocent people. Do people on this forum think it is fair and just for a " Diplomat " to think he or she can simply do anything that breaks the law and just get away with it by hiding behind the " diplomatic status " ? I certainly dont !!
It`s different for minor offenses such as parking fines and such things but to do all the things this person did in connection with this offense - i certainly believe he or she should immediately be sent packing back to Sweden.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Drunk driving is not a serious offence here.In theroy if you have a dip passport, you can get away with murder...just like certain members of the Thai population.

sriracha john · August 28, 2005

Do people on this forum think it is fair and just for a " Diplomat " to think he or she can simply do anything that breaks the law and just get away with it by hiding behind the " diplomatic status " ? I certainly dont !!

Stating the realities of a situation don't necessarily equate to condoning or endorsing it...

Joey Boy · August 28, 2005

Depending on his rank in the Embassy, he's most likely off the hook.

Wouldn't that have also been the case had he stopped for the checkpoint and beeen found to be under the influence?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wouldnt have thought it would have got so far as the station if he'd gone about it correctly

lopburi3 · August 28, 2005

I do not see his name on this list http://www.swedenabroad.com/pages/general____17563.asp

so I suspect he will face the music here; or at home. Not a good career move.

lingling · August 28, 2005

There's no mention of it on Swedish news websites. Unless swedish media reports on this, the embassy will most likely just cover it up.

Khutan · August 28, 2005

Generally known as a "CLM" or a Career Limiting Move"

lingling · August 28, 2005

Apparently, The Nation didn't bother to do fact checking before publishing. The guy is apparently a local embassy employee, not a diplomat. The Swedish ministry of foreign affairs say they are aware of the situation but will await the results of the local police investigation before deciding whether to take any action.

http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=119&a=230501

In other words, there will probably be a "settlement" between him and the police and it is all forgotten.

richard10365 · August 28, 2005

Maybe someone will email a newspaper in his country to let his country men know how he behaves someplace else.

Pattaya_Fox · August 28, 2005

A Swede who acted like a diplomatic Turnip

ilyushin · August 28, 2005

Most times smile and move on through the road blocks. Must be a real character or other contributing factors. Diplomatic importance (threats) would have been better used with a single flash of the Dip's Passport. GREEN LIGHT and off he goes. Wonder , what he was drinking and/or... ? Past tense anyway.

Scott · August 28, 2005

People need to remember that a lot of the folks employed at an embassy are not diplomats and do not have any type of diplomatic immunity. They will have an embassy ID card that the police will usually take with a fair amount of leniency. This guy obviously didn't have a diplomatic passport or diplomatic license plates on the car otherwise the police would have just waved him through.

Working for an embassy gives you certain advantages with the local police, however, this guy must have really screwed up to get their dander up to the point that he did.

And I do not approve of drink driving and I don't do it.

george · August 29, 2005

This topic will be featured in todays Thailand Today @ Radio Bangkok at 5pm, info here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43399

http://www.radiobangkok.net

Sphere · August 29, 2005

BANGKOK: -- A Swedish diplomatic official, allegedly driving while drunk, tried to jump a police checkpoint and later threatened officers, police said yesterday.
Adam Grimla, who works for the Royal Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, ....

Absolut madness! And imagine being caught anywhere near the Siam Hotel, as well. I wonder why he has not yet made the front page of Aftonbladet.

kalaminsa · August 29, 2005

BANGKOK: -- A Swedish diplomatic official, allegedly driving while drunk, tried to jump a police checkpoint and later threatened officers, police said yesterday.
Adam Grimla, who works for the Royal Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, ....

Absolut madness! And imagine being caught anywhere near the Siam Hotel, as well. I wonder why he has not yet made the front page of Aftonbladet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He has now been fined 4000 baht , no further penalties at all.

His future as an employee at the Swedish Embassy is however not yet decided.

SweGuava · August 29, 2005

I was reading an article the other day and they interviewed 4 Thai celebreties.
The question was if you were driving home drunk and needed to go to the toilet. Would you stop at a closed petrol station.

Now not one of the people said that they wouldn't drive drunk. They all gave their answer like "I would .......

Not very good role models.

C

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I showed this question to the thai people at the offcie and asked them if they saw anything strange with the answers. Not one of them reacted...

And it wasn't only drunk, I believe the wording was "pissed drunk"

lingling · August 29, 2005

The story is making its way into more Swedish newspapers. According to this one he was sentenced to pay a large fine.

http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=427798

JemJem · August 29, 2005

Thailand could do without these pissshead idiots who look down on Thai people.

Unfortunately he will most probably get away with it...a jail sentence of a few weeks would at least teach him something.

Cheers,

Jem

raro · August 29, 2005

Ever met a sober Swede?

lingling · August 29, 2005

Thailand could do without these pissshead idiots who look down on Thai people.
Unfortunately he will most probably get away with it...a jail sentence of a few weeks would at least teach him something.

Cheers,

Jem

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He already got away with it apparently.

On a sidenote, this guy must be working in the consular/visa section. His attitude sounds just like a visa officer. They are used to have the locals bow for them no matter what crappy attitude they give them and no matter what rude questions they ask from behind the thick glass windows. That probably instills a feeling of "godlike powers".

I feel sorry for whoever have their visa applications processed by this moron in the future as he now knows he is above the law.

Anek18 · August 29, 2005

send him back and get a better Swe to replace him

dr_Pat_Pong · September 4, 2005

Swede's are all piss'eads

meemiathai · September 4, 2005

I was reading an article the other day and they interviewed 4 Thai celebreties.
The question was if you were driving home drunk and needed to go to the toilet. Would you stop at a closed petrol station.

Now not one of the people said that they wouldn't drive drunk. They all gave their answer like "I would .......

Not very good role models.

C

I showed this question to the thai people at the offcie and asked them if they saw anything strange with the answers. Not one of them reacted...

And it wasn't only drunk, I believe the wording was "pissed drunk"

Have you also tried this on some swedes and see their answers?

If I asked you what you will do if you were rich, would you start answering me that you don't think you would ever be rich?

kalaminsa · September 4, 2005

I was reading an article the other day and they interviewed 4 Thai celebreties.
The question was if you were driving home drunk and needed to go to the toilet. Would you stop at a closed petrol station.

Now not one of the people said that they wouldn't drive drunk. They all gave their answer like "I would .......

Not very good role models.

C

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I showed this question to the thai people at the offcie and asked them if they saw anything strange with the answers. Not one of them reacted...

And it wasn't only drunk, I believe the wording was "pissed drunk"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you also tried this on some swedes and see their answers?

If I asked you what you will do if you were rich, would you start answering me that you don't think you would ever be rich?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my experience it is the Brits who are the greatest culprits when it comes to drunk driving among the falangs.

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