Police checkpoints

[SAFETY FIRST]

Today I was a red light waiting to turn right from Pattaya 3^rd road into soi 17.

On the other side of the road was a checkpoint, several police with police vehicles.

I was there for a few minutes and was watching the activity.

I was disturbed by what I saw, it made me sick.

During the few minutes several Thais passed through the checkpoint without being stopped, mainly taxi motorbikes with passengers not wearing helmets, they had turned out of soi 17 left on to 3^rd road passed through the checkpoint to do a U turn to avoid waiting at the red light, also another couple of Thais without helmet on bikes that looked un-roadworthy ie loud, headlight not working mirrorless etc. none of these motorbikes bikes were stopped.

Then the traffic lights changed to green. The motorbikes took off and only the foreigners were stopped, they all had helmets on and their bikes look in good condition.

These officers should not be called Police; the definition of Police is the civil force of a national or local government, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.

What examples are these officers setting, what signals are they sending to the locals? The local people will think they are above the law and continue with law breaking which in turn contributes to the high road toll.

I have family and friends here which concerns me when they are on Thai roads.

Surely these officers of the law are educated, professional people, cant they see what they  are doing is wrong, are they not concerned about their own family and friends getting caught up in the horrific road toll, which is growing due to this childish behaviour.

I wish I had contact with a western film crew – BBC or so. To have them set up a camera at the intersection and report to the world what goes on in Thailand, I am sure this would have an impact on tourism.

 

best regards

Safety First