Drunk and reckless drivers face maximum penalties during Songkran

[rooster59]

Drunk and reckless drivers face maximum penalties during Songkran

 

 

Drunk, reckless and speeding drivers, as well as those riding motorcycles without crash helmets, will face maximum penalties permissible by law during the Songkran festival, which starts next week, said Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich today.

 

The instruction to police to get tough with violators during the holidays, from April 13-16, was issued today during a tele-conference between officials, responsible for security and public order, and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Lt-Gen Kongcheep said General Prawit wants people to celebrate the fun-filled festival safely and conveniently.

 

Hundreds of people die and thousands of others are injured on Thailand’s roads each year during the weeklong festival and most accidents and fatalities involve motorcyclists who were not wearing crash helmets.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/drunk-and-reckless-drivers-face-maximum-penalties-during-songkran/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-04-086

[bluesofa]

7 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Drunk, reckless and speeding drivers, as well as those riding motorcycles without crash helmets, will face maximum penalties permissible by law during the Songkran festival, which starts next week, said Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich today.

The instruction to police to get tough with violators during the holidays, from April 13-16, was issued today

Just a temporary halt on Thailand's population control system then.

 

[ezzra]

Until and when over the limit drunk drivers will be arrested on the spot and hauled to jail with a big fine and brought before a judge, Thai drivers will continue to disregard and scoff at police...

[jaltsc]

"Drunk, reckless and speeding drivers, as well as those riding motorcycles without crash helmets, will face maximum penalties permissible by law during the Songkran festival..."

 

Amazing Thailand!!! Not only did they extend the Songkran celebration, they also extended April 1st for the entire month. 

[Artisi]

27 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Just a temporary halt on Thailand's population control system then.

 

Unlikely, you could probably get even money on an increase.... 

[ThreeEyedRaven]

The problem being of course, that even the maximum penalties here for traffic offences are laughably low. No helmet, 500 Baht? Not a problem for most. Drunk driving at 5-10,000 is still no serious deterrent. Multiply the fines through Songkran by a factor of 10 and you might get a bit of attention from the crazed racers on the streets. And of course, if that brings numbers of accidents and deaths down, make it permanent. 

Being Thailand of course, the howl of protest from the masses would probably see such a proposal dragged down in short order. Money is more important than life apparently.

[sammieuk1]

There will be an outcry from licence less drivers that the crackdown could affect beer and whisky supply's leading to anger leveled against water throwers who in turn will be mown down in true Songkran fashion rendering the whole exercise pointless ????  

[kentrot]

Hmmmmm - article in Bangkok Post

 

No problem if your family owns RED BULL --- is it ?

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Speeding, drunk drivers face murder rap over Songkhran

• 5 Apr 2019 at 17:33 3 comments
•  
• Level switch:

  1. Easy

About 300 drivers arrested for drunk driving during Songkhran last year drink holy water and swear not to drink-and-drive again, at Bang Poo police station in Samut Prakan province last April.(File photo: Suthiwit Chayutworakan)

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon says he has ordered police to charge speeding and drunk motorists who cause fatal accidents during the Songkran holiday with murder.

"I am worried that speeding and drink driving can kill others. We must try to reduce deaths from these causes. So anyone who violates speed limits or drives under the influence and causes death will be held responsible for murder," Gen Prawit said at the Defence Ministry on Friday.

The new measure would add to other measures earlier introduced to boost road safety during Songkran, he said. Other measures include impounding the vehicles of drunk drivers.

He did confirm that Songkran revellers will be allowed to travel around on the back of pickup trucks as usual.

"Let it go for now," said Gen Prawit, who is also the defence minister.

Despite the intense road safety campaign for the Songkran festival in April last year, there were still 3,724 traffic accidents, which killed 418 people and injured 3,897 others. Speeding and drink driving were cited as the most common causes.

Traffic accidents killed 20,169 people in Thailand last year, according to official statistics.

[toenail]

- Where is the photo of the PR campaign photo shoot showing the police & VIP’s all lined up? ( Sorry, words only & no action.) 

[trainman34014]

More Bullshit ; why not seize drink drivers cars and crush them ?   Do that for one Songkran period and watch the reductions next year.

 

I note there is no reference to banning Pick-Ups being crammed with people in the back; you know, the orders issued last year that were to be implemented last year after Songkran but were completely ignored.  All the while laws are not upheld Thai people will continue to flout them.

 

Thaitanic sails on !

[tlandtday]

translation... incentives and bonuses will be increased for all police officers for the holiday period 13-16. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

So anyone who violates speed limits or drives under the influence and causes death will be held responsible for murder,"

 

And what does the written law prescribe for that offence?

[nausea]

Bigger on the spot "fines" then, I guess.

[from the home of CC]

Like the idea of the charge vehicular homicide/manslaughter for anyone who selfishly gets lit up and kills someone. Would also like to see foreigners barred for life to enter Thailand if they blow over the legal limit while operating any vehicle. The west has a better handle on these crimes due to the severity of the punishments. It's a shame visitors and expats think they can come into Thailand and violate these laws, sadly lacking respect for others. People who come from countries that supposedly have higher educational standards and public awareness programs should know better. 

[transam]

 

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm.... i’m not holding my breath. With these extra measures in Thailand the death rate usually increases

[Sonhia]

No it won't! 

 

Take the 6 only person's on the flat bed of a pick up. What happened to that? 

 

More BS spin. 

 

Nothing will change as per normal. 

 

History being repeated, yet again. Yawn! 

[Artisi]

23 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

So anyone who violates speed limits or drives under the influence and causes death will be held responsible for murder,"

 

And what does the written law prescribe for that offence?

Law, what law - just something else to be ignored when ever it suits the immediate need. 

The watchman has spoken, that's all that's required to change whatever he decides on - but don't worry - it's all hot air as usual.