Criminal offences you should avoid during Sonkgran

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

Thais and foreigners join Songkran water splashing on Silom Road Friday.

 

Splashing water on people not willing to get wet during the Songkran Festival can lead to imprisonment, a lawyer warned, adding many common violations of laws during this festive period carry severe penalties.

 

Ratchapon Sirithaworn, a legal expert and owner of the Facebook fanpage “LawByRachaponsLawyer”, which provides knowledge on law, cautioned people to celebrate Songkran within the limit of laws.

 

He said offences such as drinking alcohol in prohibited areas or splashing water randomly can lead to high fines or even being jailed.

 

Ratchapon revealed on his Facebook fanpage that many minor offences in the eyes of the public have very severe punishments and urged the people to celebrate Songkran with discretion or they might find themselves in prison for their ‘minor’ crimes.

“Even though splashing water on other people is culturally accepted during Songkran Festival, as it is seen as an enjoyable celebration, this enjoyment can turn into a criminal offence if we soak someone who does not intend to get into a water fight, or causes them damage,” he said.

 

He explained that splashing water on random people and causing damage to their valuables such as mobile phones is a criminal offence under Article 358 of the Criminal Code. Offenders are subjected to punishments of up to three years in jail or Bt60,000 fine.

 

He also warned that even though no damage may have been done to another’s belongings, the act of splashing water can be considered physical harmful and offenders can be charged with battery and given a month’s imprisonment or Bt10,000 fine.

 

Ratchapon gave examples of five other criminal offences regularly committed during Songkran: up to 10 years imprisonment for celebratory shooting; 10 years in jail for sexual harassment; six months jail for drinking alcohol inside a driving vehicle or at a petrol station; and Bt5,000 fine for indecent behaviour in public.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343161

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-14

Although it will be difficult to find a culprit in a large crowd, who may be long gone by the time any law enforcement arrives!!!!

Edited April 14, 20188 yr by TConthePC

If this were enforced, as it won't be, they'd have to cancel Songkran. More official noise. Note also how official pronouncements carefully omit mention of the ice and powder.

Sounds like another lawyer trying to drum up business.

Should have learned a real skill Ratch.

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Splashing water on people not willing to get wet during the Songkran Festival can lead to imprisonment, a lawyer warned, adding many common violations of laws during this festive period carry severe penalties.

Like laws related to driving, this 'law' will never be enforced, or if enforced it will be tokenism for the sake of publicity, i.e., some tourist(s) will be arrested, wrung out to dry in front of the public, fined, and made to wai in front of the cameras.

Look out, the law will get you!

 

 

Yeah, but. . .

 

Meanwhile, it's business as the usual wave of everyday crimes continues to hit Thailand like a bucket of iced water in the chops.  

 

According to the latestThaiVisa news headlines, we're in the middle of an orgy of shootings, knifings, rape, assassination, speeding, reckless, careless, dangerous and drunk driving, robbery, suicide, assault and murder.

 

And that's just what Thais are up to. Just wait till Putin and Trump start "randomly" throwing their stuff around. . . 

Edited April 14, 20188 yr by Krataiboy

23 hours ago, TConthePC said:

Although it will be difficult to find a culprit in a large crowd, who may be long gone by the time any law enforcement arrives!!!!

What do you mean, the Govt. has promised a lot of extra police this Songkran, and I believe them, now day 3 have not seen one yet, but I'm sure thay will be here soon

Noise.

Police want only money.