"New and transparent" DUI checkpoint system will be subject to public scrutiny, says top cop "Big Manu"

[webfact]

"New and transparent" DUI checkpoint system will be subject to public scrutiny, says top cop "Big Manu"

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

RTP deputy commander Pol Gen Manu Mekmork - accompanied by a lot of top brass, health personnel and DUI activists - showed off the Thai police's new checkpoint system for checking drivers who have been drinking.

 

Outside the Thong Lo police station - itself at the center of one of Thailand's most notorious drink driving incidents in 2012- Gen Manu explained that the checkpoints have been ordered by new RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk and would be transparent and open to public scrutiny in every way.

 

They would be of an international standard and follow a precise set of rules and regulations.

 

There would be three sizes of checkpoint depending on the area and capacity of the police station concerned - small (seven officers), medium (nine officers) and large, that would have 12 officers.

 

A well lit sign 150 meters ahead will warn drivers they are approaching a checkpoint. Another "stop check" sign will follow. 

 

The checkpoint will be 20 meters long. There will be cones, officers will have light sticks, and there will be four CCTV cameras to record absolutely everything. This will ensure that both the police and the public are protected, said Gen Manu.

 

In addition the public will be able to record everything that happens on their own mobile phone. CCTV footage will be kept for three days to reinforce the transparency of the operation. 

 

If the public is not satisfied they can call the 1559 "justice" hotline.

 

How they handle the checks will fall into four broad categories:

 

1. People driving normally who the police do not suspect of drinking will have their license checked and be waved on.

 

2. People who appear to be intoxicated will be told to pull over, will be informed of their rights and reminded that denying an alcohol test is illegal. As the test is carried out the public will view the results continually with "the needle" pointing towards them. Everything will be filmed from start to finish.

 

3. People who start making trouble will have their vehicles searched and a criminal background check will be made before the DUI process is initiated.

 

4. Those whom the police have information that they might be carrying drugs will be surrounded before the checks are carried out.

 

Checkpoints will only be set up when proper requests are made with the necessary reasons to commanders. They will only be in areas where police have reason to believe - through methods like the accumulation of data - that there are drink drivers or in areas where alcohol is being sold. 

 

Also in attendance at the media show were Dr Thaejing Siripanich of the anti DUI foundation and the Thong Lo station chief Pol Col Samphan Leuangsatjakun. 

 

The Thong Lo station was at the center of the "Red Bull Boss" case in which one of their own officers was killed. 

 

Thai Rath called the deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police "Big Manu" in their headline.

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-11-05

 

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[madmitch]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

A well lit sign 150 meters ahead will warn drivers they are approaching a checkpoint. Another "stop check" sign will follow. 

Just far enough for anyone who has been drinking to make a quick turn and go another way!

[colinneil]

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

They would be of an international standard and follow a precise set of rules and regulations

What a crock of s++t,  international standards, we are talking about the R.T.P. here.????????

They do not conform to any form of standards.

[hasitha77]

always keep your passport with you.!! even-though they unable suspect you with DUI they will find a way to approach to your pocket as long as you are not a thai citizen. NO COPIES.. ONLY ORIGINAL PASSPORT. or keep 1000 baht stand by. ????

[Dellboy218]

58 minutes ago, hasitha77 said:

always keep your passport with you.!! even-though they unable suspect you with DUI they will find a way to approach to your pocket as long as you are not a thai citizen. NO COPIES.. ONLY ORIGINAL PASSPORT. or keep 1000 baht stand by. ????

Pol Col Voravat Amornvivat told Thaivisa that he wanted to reassure the expat community. "Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult," he said. "It's about being reasonable and using common sense."

He said tourists would not have to carry their original passports and expats could use a Thai driving licence if they have one, or a photocopy of their passport as a form of identification.

[Andy from Kent]

9 minutes ago, Dellboy218 said:

Pol Col Voravat Amornvivat told Thaivisa that he wanted to reassure the expat community. "Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult," he said. "It's about being reasonable and using common sense."

He said tourists would not have to carry their original passports and expats could use a Thai driving licence if they have one, or a photocopy of their passport as a form of identification.

 

 

As has been reported several times already, go to a copy place.    Have the front page and the visa page copied and reduced to a credit card size which is then laminated.        Bingo.

[hasitha77]

6 minutes ago, Dellboy218 said:

Pol Col Voravat Amornvivat told Thaivisa that he wanted to reassure the expat community. "Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult," he said. "It's about being reasonable and using common sense."

He said tourists would not have to carry their original passports and expats could use a Thai driving licence if they have one, or a photocopy of their passport as a form of identification.

how are you gonna explain or prove this to a random police officer who can barely understand english? with my experience it is just give 1000 baht or go with them to police station which I believe no one would ever agree to do so. Police officer refused my driving license, soft-copy of my passport and workpermit. are there any legal statement which we can simply show them in case.

[Surelynot]

I thought all police checkpoints had been prohibited just a week ago?....Oh! ....Wait...This is Thailand.

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

What a crock of s++t,  international standards, we are talking about the R.T.P. here.????????

They do not conform to any form of standards.

DUI testing has been going on in the civilized world for more than 40 years to control drink driving and these clowns have just come up with this? They have little or no idea!  

[webfact]

Thonglor first to test ‘polite’, international-standard checkpoints

By The Nation

 

 

Thonglor police station has set up a new style of checkpoints after complaints that police are forcing motorists to pay them and have double standards.

 

A committee on police affairs, led by Democrat Party MP Chitpas Kridakorn, visited checkpoints to inspect and follow up on the matter.

 

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk has come out with a new policy to boost the standard of checkpoints so that they are now transparent and employ international procedures. Thonglor is the first to trial the new checkpoints.

 

On Wednesday, police showcased the new methods in checking passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints and dealing with certain situations such as drunk driving.

 

Policemen are required to produce their badges and inform drivers of their name and the name of their commander. They have been instructed to strictly follow the regulations, which include being polite.

 

The plan is expected to heighten transparency and lessen corruption at checkpoints.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30397384

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-11-05

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Jeffr2]

2 hours ago, Andy from Kent said:

 

 

As has been reported several times already, go to a copy place.    Have the front page and the visa page copied and reduced to a credit card size which is then laminated.        Bingo.

Most times that works, sometimes it doesn't.  Just depends on the situation, the officer at the scene, the position of the sun and moon, etc.

[jossthaifarang]

2 hours ago, PatOngo said:

DUI testing has been going on in the civilized world for more than 40 years to control drink driving and these clowns have just come up with this? They have little or no idea!  

Apparently they do have an idea, and it is a good one! Its about time they started taking drunk drivers off the road.

 

If you disagree with that, then imagine having your child, wife or other close family member whiped out by some drunk idiot. After that I'm sure you will realise that this is a good thing... 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Dellboy218 said:

Pol Col Voravat Amornvivat told Thaivisa that he wanted to reassure the expat community. "Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult," he said. "It's about being reasonable and using common sense."

He said tourists would not have to carry their original passports and expats could use a Thai driving licence if they have one, or a photocopy of their passport as a form of identification.

 

Where was that quote from pls ?

[losername]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

".... says top cop "Big Manu".

Should that be "Big Mango"?

[wombat]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"New and transparent"

i am shocked at the suggestion it would be anything else...the table the new notes are passed over under will be transparent

[from the home of CC]

like to see all foreigners convicted of dui immediately deported and all foreigners who have a dui criminal history denied entry..

[outsider]

5 hours ago, colinneil said:

What a crock of s++t,  international standards, we are talking about the R.T.P. here.????????

They do not conform to any form of standards.

 

The RTP's standard is the international standard.

 

According to the RTP

[outsider]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

... the Thong Lo police station...

 

I stopped reading the moment I read the above line.

[phantomfiddler]

When one looks into any encyclopedia to find the meaning of "Omnipotence" it should have a photo of a Thai policeman !  We have no rights here whatsoever, and they can extort money from us at will. Usually they will choose late Friday so that one cannot access one's lawyer and they have 3 nights in jail to hang over you as leverage. One time I was sitting outside a bar, minding my own business, when a police pick-up truck pulled in. A policeman, obviously pre-advised, walked up and said "You own a property, therefore you are working. Get in the pick-up" !  (Word for word, very brief). I was then shaken down for 50,000Bht, the alternative being the 3 nights in jail. They are a wonderful bunch of people who can do whatever they please !

[hasitha77]

11 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

I was then shaken down for 50,000Bht,

at least it will be returned within few weeks #sigh ????

[Venom]

Yes, could not help but notice all the trucks parked on the side of the road just before the police check point, waiting for it to close. The police did not appear to notice. Very clever. ????

[Dellboy218]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Where was that quote from pls ?

Its in the text.....Thai Visa.  In more than 30 years, unless traveling to another province I have never carried my passport, only copies.   I would rather pay any fine than lose my passport.  As a lot of that traveling is on a bike it is always a possibility.  I have never been fined.  I carry a plastic wallet on my bikes and car with copies of my passport, green/blue book insurances etc.

Edited November 5, 2020 by Dellboy218

[IssanCalling]

7 hours ago, madmitch said:

Just far enough for anyone who has been drinking to make a quick turn and go another way!

 

7 hours ago, madmitch said:

Just far enough for anyone who has been drinking to make a quick turn and go another way!

Exactly what I thought...

[Badboldie]

They would be of an international standard and follow a precise set of rules and regulations.

Perhaps they can do the same with the smoking laws and enforce them! 

[salsajapan]

Even when the army was this them they accepted bribes...

 

 

[SunsetT]

8 hours ago, madmitch said:

Just far enough for anyone who has been drinking to make a quick turn and go another way!

...Or prepare brown envelope.

[tandor]

8 hours ago, madmitch said:

Just far enough for anyone who has been drinking to make a quick turn and go another way!

..yes..it sounds like herding cattle into a crush then throwing a blanket over one.

[spidermike007]

8 hours ago, hasitha77 said:

always keep your passport with you.!! even-though they unable suspect you with DUI they will find a way to approach to your pocket as long as you are not a thai citizen. NO COPIES.. ONLY ORIGINAL PASSPORT. or keep 1000 baht stand by. ????

 

Total nonsense. I never carry my original passport. I utterly refuse to do that. Too valuable. Not required. Ever. Only when going to immigration, or leaving the country. I always keep a color copy in my wallet, and a photo of my visa. Never had an issue. Anywhere. A driver's license is always fine, and my pink card is available as an alternate ID. 

[Lancashirelad]

Quote

CCTV will be kept for [ONLY] 3 days.

 

How useful!

[Lancashirelad]

3 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

When one looks into any encyclopedia to find the meaning of "Omnipotence" it should have a photo of a Thai policeman !  We have no rights here whatsoever, and they can extort money from us at will. Usually they will choose late Friday so that one cannot access one's lawyer and they have 3 nights in jail to hang over you as leverage. One time I was sitting outside a bar, minding my own business, when a police pick-up truck pulled in. A policeman, obviously pre-advised, walked up and said "You own a property, therefore you are working. Get in the pick-up" !  (Word for word, very brief). I was then shaken down for 50,000Bht, the alternative being the 3 nights in jail. They are a wonderful bunch of people who can do whatever they please !

I think there will be more background to this that you are choosing not to mention.