Out for blood: Phuket Police to use hospital tests to confirm drunk driver charges

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

Police will still stop suspected drunk drivers and have them tested for alcohol. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Arayapan Pukbuakhao has warned that police across the island will continue to arrest and charge drunk drivers even without using roadside tests. Instead, police will rely on blood tests conducted by hospitals to prosecute drunk drivers.

 

The news follows new national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk last Friday (Oct 2) ordering the suspension of drink-driving checkpoints until the transparency of the tests can be ensured.

 

“There must not be roadside tests. They must be carried out at a hospital, so that people can feel confident that they are accurate. Until we can do that, we will set them at zero for now,” Gebn Suwat said.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/out-for-blood-phuket police-to-use-hospital-tests-to-confirm-drunk-driver-charges-77595.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-10-10

 

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Makes sense. I don't know of many other countries that prosecute solely on the breath alcohol test. Most require a blood test to confirm exceeding the legal intoxication limits or otherwise. In most sensible nations, any refusal to provide a blood sample is an automatic prosecution for DUI/DWI with additional penalties.

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

 

Checkpoints don't work especially in Thailand as the police are not trained in how where and when to use them - they actually are more of a traffic hazard than a safety tool.

 

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Finally if they do prove a driver was drunk and the case meanders through the legal system how do they hope either to collect any fines or enforce a driving ban.

 

 

Road safety in Thailand is in the Middle Ages and so long as people ignore international advice and try to concentrate on single issues they will NEVER solve the problem.

 

the whole thing is jus laughable.

1 minute ago, Airbagwill said:

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

 

Checkpoints don't work especially in Thailand as the police are not trained in how where and when to use them - they actually are more of a traffic hazard than a safety tool.

 

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Finally if they do prove a driver was drunk and the case meanders through the legal system how do they hope either to collect any fines or enforce a driving ban.

 

 

Road safety in Thailand is in the Middle Ages and so long as people ignore international advice and try to concentrate on single issues they will NEVER solve the problem.

 

the whole thing is jus laughable.

So then what are you on about?

5 minutes ago, lust said:

So then what are you on about?

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

3 minutes ago, Airbagwill said:

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

And? Did you not do your due diligence and research before deciding on moving here? Thailand is soooo much more dangerous than my home country. And I LOVE it.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

“There must not be roadside tests. They must be carried out at a hospital, so that people can feel confident that they are accurate. Until we can do that, we will set them at zero for now,”

I'm not sure whether this means that breathalysers are not going to be used at all, and it would be typical if they did stop them. A positive test followed by a cop shop/hospital visit should be the norm, negative tests let go.

 

New scenario would be to stop anyone, tell thm they are suspected of drinking and would therefore be spending several hours at the local hospital......however this procedure could be overlooked for a small donation!

 

Let's see.

10 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I'm not sure whether this means that breathalysers are not going to be used at all, and it would be typical if they did stop them. A positive test followed by a cop shop/hospital visit should be the norm, negative tests let go.

 

New scenario would be to stop anyone, tell thm they are suspected of drinking and would therefore be spending several hours at the local hospital......however this procedure could be overlooked for a small donation!

 

Let's see.

Breath tests are used to identify a suspect -

the normal procedure in EU is the person is first identified by use of a breathalyser and then undertakes a blood test or sophisticated breath test. Police stations are equipped with the stuff to do this and the equipment is calibrated on a regular basis and the officers are trained.

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Makes sense. I don't know of many other countries that prosecute solely on the breath alcohol test. Most require a blood test to confirm exceeding the legal intoxication limits or otherwise. 

Most developed countries use a breathalizer at the spot, and then refer people that go over the limit to a callibrated breathalizer at the police station or in a mobile unit (van). That should be enough.

 

Thai police now even stopped using the handheld breathalizer which makes me wonder how to decide who they gonna send for a blood test in the hospital. 90% of people drive like they are drunk, send all 20 million of them for a blood test every day?

 

Prosecuting only based on reliable methods to determine alcohol consumption is great, but why 1 step forward and 2 steps back by taking away the handheld breathalizer to screen people that need to do the blood test?

I did not read in the report....except for the VIP,HiSo,

they will just refuse anyway....do you know who I am.

regards worgeordie

1 hour ago, Airbagwill said:

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

 

Checkpoints don't work especially in Thailand as the police are not trained in how where and when to use them - they actually are more of a traffic hazard than a safety tool.

 

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Finally if they do prove a driver was drunk and the case meanders through the legal system how do they hope either to collect any fines or enforce a driving ban.

 

 

Road safety in Thailand is in the Middle Ages and so long as people ignore international advice and try to concentrate on single issues they will NEVER solve the problem.

 

the whole thing is jus laughable.

One night in Bangkok Hilton makes a tough man stumble. 

5 minutes ago, micmichd said:

One night in Bangkok Hilton makes a tough man stumble. 

..and your point is?

1 hour ago, Airbagwill said:

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

 

Checkpoints don't work especially in Thailand as the police are not trained in how where and when to use them - they actually are more of a traffic hazard than a safety tool.

 

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Finally if they do prove a driver was drunk and the case meanders through the legal system how do they hope either to collect any fines or enforce a driving ban.

 

 

Road safety in Thailand is in the Middle Ages and so long as people ignore international advice and try to concentrate on single issues they will NEVER solve the problem.

 

the whole thing is jus laughable.

I simply don't get it. 

All the time you complained about traffic accidents, now they're doing something about it, and you complain again. Probably because you're not only after bar girls but also after booze. 

Just now, Airbagwill said:

..and your point is?

They will pay their fines and maybe rather starve to death than face deportation and a ban. 

31 minutes ago, Airbagwill said:

Breath tests are used to identify a suspect -

the normal procedure in EU is the person is first identified by use of a breathalyser and then undertakes a blood test or sophisticated breath test. Police stations are equipped with the stuff to do this and the equipment is calibrated on a regular basis and the officers are trained.

Same as in the US.  A breath test with a PAS (Portable Alcohol Screening) Device is used, most of the ones used are made by Alco sensor.  These devices are used after giving the driver Preliminary Standardized Field Sobriety tests, ie...walk and turn test, one leg elevated test, Alcohol Gaze Nystagmus eye exam, and a few others that have scientific verifiable clues that are recognized by the courts.  Then a final Breath test or a blood test is given either at the hospital or at the jail facility after they have been arrested.  Seems it has always been about money here in Thailand, with checkpoints operated instead of training the RTP how to spot an impaired driver as he is actually operating the vehicle be it a motor cycle, car, truck, or a commercial vehicle. 

i think that the use of a properly recognized, licensed hospital, for testing (assuming the process is done correctly, the sample handled in line with protocol and such) is a very good thing for both the state as well as the accused.

 

I do think that having properly trained field officers would help massively to identify quickly, those who are suspected of impairment... but if you’re going to move the matter to a formal criminal issue, then I think the state really has to make sure the evidentiary collection, analysis and retention is both reliable but also independently verifiable.

hahahaha, and a wedge will ensure the blood test is done 24hr's after !!

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Sorry the UK among other countries USE a Fully calibrated Machine in a Police station to ascertain Breath alcohol and its readings are accepted in all courts, there are rare occasions when a blood test is required, mainly medical reasons . 

 

About time the RTP moved into the 21st century 

Just now, Khun Paul said:

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Sorry the UK among other countries USE a Fully calibrated Machine in a Police station to ascertain Breath alcohol and its readings are accepted in all courts, there are rare occasions when a blood test is required, mainly medical reasons . 

 

About time the RTP moved into the 21st century 

Got "done" at a roadside breath test in Aus late 2018.

I called <deleted> as I knew what I had had to drink (1 light beer), 2nd test at station still has me bang to rights... I asked for a blood test (at my expense).

15 mins later at the hospital blood taken and result was 0.00.

The basic idea is ok but as long as the rtp officer is not totally honest(nice way of putting it)

before,You are a little drunk sir,do you want to know your options?

now, You are over the limit and i should take you to the hospital to have your blood checked,do you want

to know your options?

Option one,by the book.

Option two,how much can you give to make the problem go away?

5 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Got "done" at a roadside breath test in Aus late 2018.

I called <deleted> as I knew what I had had to drink (1 light beer), 2nd test at station still has me bang to rights... I asked for a blood test (at my expense).

15 mins later at the hospital blood taken and result was 0.00.

That tells me that the road side machines they are using are not calibrated every week or after every 100 tests, or not calibrated by anyone with the training and knowledge to do so.  Of course it could be like the old dial a deuce machines that were used once upon a time in California.  You could set it to what you wanted the result to be basically, and bang em up as you say.

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

That tells me that the road side machines they are using are not calibrated every week or after every 100 tests, or not calibrated by anyone with the training and knowledge to do so.  Of course it could be like the old dial a deuce machines that were used once upon a time in California.  You could set it to what you wanted the result to be basically, and bang em up as you say.

it was roadside test then test at police station.

Why not ban alcohol and make it an illegal substance  they are quite happy to ban everything else. Just think how happy that would make the people .  

6 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

it was roadside test then test at police station.

Sounds to me that they were not calibrated like they are done in the States or in the EU.  It is why I would refuse to take any breath test here and insist on going to the hospital for blood if I was for sure I was not impaired.  If I was then what can they do except lock you up if you refuse to do a test.  I have never seen anything here saying they can force you to take a test, but then the DLT can take your driver license I would guess.  Maybe there is someone in the know here....

1 hour ago, lust said:

Thailand is soooo much more dangerous than my home country. And I LOVE it.

Extraordinary comment.

2 hours ago, Airbagwill said:

This clearly shows how ineffective the police, legal etc are in aspects of road safety.

Its news?

2 hours ago, Airbagwill said:

Finally if they do prove a driver was drunk and the case meanders through the legal system how do they hope either to collect any fines or enforce a driving ban.

 

 

That would be easy No fines  ,Just impose a prison sentence. Pick them Up Lock them Up.

47 minutes ago, Khun Paul said:

Then the fact that the police have to use a hospital to get an accurate CAILBRATED measurement of alcohol shows that after all these years they still don't have a modern effective system of even detecting drunk drivers let alone prosecuting them.

 

Sorry the UK among other countries USE a Fully calibrated Machine in a Police station to ascertain Breath alcohol and its readings are accepted in all courts, there are rare occasions when a blood test is required, mainly medical reasons . 

 

About time the RTP moved into the 21st century 

Harder to glean teamoney!

It has been a long time in the US they looked anyone up for drunk driving. Years back they made a mistake of doing that when the person they accused of driving drunk was not drunk but on drugs. Now they catch someone they take them to a hospital or clinic for verification and then charge you with DUI ( driving under the influence).

If you refuse any test they can use "reasonable force" to obtain a blood sample.

But, what is reasonable here may not be the same as western countries.  I think resisting any test here  would be foolish and just exascerbate the situation and maybe lead to additional charges.

Bottom line, people make the choice to get drunk and drive.  Call a Grab or mb taxi.  I think very harse penalties should be applied for DUI.