PM concerned about drunk driving during New Year holidays

By THE NATION

 

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concerns about the increasing number of road accidents during the New Year holidays with drunk driving emerging as the leading cause, Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Saturday.

 

 

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Friday that 186 people were killed and over 1,600 injured in road accidents during December 29-31, with 38.04 per cent of accidents caused by drunk driving.

 

“The PM has urged officials at police checkpoints to strictly follow the screening protocols in inspecting travellers to make sure that their vehicles are in safe condition, motorcyclists wear helmets, the legal speeding limit is respected and there is no drunk driving,” said Anucha. “Officials have also been told to monitor sellers of alcoholic beverages to make sure that they are following the laws.”

 

Police checkpoints nationwide will also serve Covid-19 preventive efforts, as officials will scan the temperature of the motorists as well as enforce the mandatory face mask policy in public vehicles.

 

“General Prayut also urged all citizens to prevent road accidents by being extra careful on the road and taking it easy on partying during the New Year festivities,” added Anucha. “Never drive if you had a drink, and always think about your family and the safety of other road users whenever you are behind the wheel.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400593?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-03

 

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Why is our esteemed PM 'concerned' now all of the sudden, what, there aren't too many death on Thailand's roads in any other days of the year that he's only now being concerned i wonder?...

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

the legal speeding limit is respected

what is the legal speeding limit while stopped at a checkpoint ?

4 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

PM concerned about drunk driving during New Year holidays

It's is no different than the other New Year's Holidays that you have, unfortunately, been at the helm for.

This serious crime of drink driving should have been addressed years ago, even prior to you becoming P.M., as should many other incidents on roads causing these unnecessary deaths.  

If he was that concerned he would actually do something about it.

The man is a waste of space.

He can be as concerned as he likes, but actions speak louder than words! There is no enforcement, hence no respect for the law! Drink driving is a problem in any country, but they take a very serious view of it with hefty fines and a minimum 12 months disqualification for first offence and often imprisonment for a subsequent offence. In addition there are mandatory alcohol awareness courses plus any insurance premiums afterwards are raised considerably. Drink drivers will not be caught whilst sitting drinking coffee under an awning, they need to be out patrolling the roads in cars or proper motorcycles. Policing in this country is a disgrace! Concern doesn't catch criminals! 

I ran this article through Google Translate's b*llsh*t filter and it came back accurately defined as "Blah Blah Blah" 

 

"...increasing number of road accidents during the New Year holidays with drunk driving emerging as the leading cause..." 

There is, of course, nothing "increasing" or "emerging" about drunk driving accidents and fatalities. It has been a huge problem year after year, day after day, for as long as politicians and law enforcement have their heads up their asses, which is pretty much forever in the land of "mai pen rai". Doesn't help that many (many!) young Thai males consider themselves invincible and their actions inconsequential especially when juiced up on cheap plentiful booze and the Thai party attitude of more more more me me me ???? 

What? As PM he must be aware of that driving drunk is one of the corner stones in the country´s Mai Bphen Rai Policy.

the police checkpoints are more concerned about drivers wearing masks than if they're drunk

Well what better way to start the new year, than have him spout off about drink driving, bit bloody late mate.????

You have supposedly been leading the country for 6 years, and only now start talking about the biggest killer on Thai roads, pathetic.

1 minute ago, colinneil said:

Well what better way to start the new year, than have him spout off about drink driving, bit bloody late mate.????

You have supposedly leading the country for 6 years, and only now start talking about the biggest killer on Thai roads, pathetic.

Well he has been busy kissing frogs and praying for rain.

Then first start with mandatory practice driving lessons. Teach how to.drive, teach responsible behaviour. And a driving license with punishments points. Red light, drunk driving, accident, speeding, etc. To many occasions you loose your license.

Another meaningless comment from the General .'concerned about' ... Laughable ineffective country

We had a funeral in our village last week. As is the standard practice, all the male villagers sat around drinking for most of day (and the day before) before stumbling down to the monastery for the cremation service. They then dispersed, most of them on motorcycles, some driving and wended their merry way home.

 

The person they came to pay homage to was a 25 year old lad who had crashed his motorcycle whilst coming home late at night. He died of head injuries, no helmet of course.

 

I wonder how many of those at that funeral gave any thought to his, or their behaviour. It would appear not.

36 minutes ago, pixelaoffy said:

Another meaningless comment from the General .'concerned about' ... Laughable ineffective country

 

I quite like the laid back attitude here. A fresh change from the draconian west. 

3 hours ago, fishtank said:

If he was that concerned he would actually do something about it.

The man is a waste of space.

 

One has to wonder why people come to live here if they don't like the way the country is run and policed.

In some countries it would be called freedom, but apparently not here?

The bloke should sort his police force out that I rarely see out there, instead we read daft stuff like, raise the speed limit, no more road police checks..... ????

Now come on......????

19 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 

One has to wonder why people come to live here if they don't like the way the country is run and policed.

In some countries it would be called freedom, but apparently not here?

We tolerate  it .. doesn't mean we cant comment on "freedom"  of stupidity and irrationality.

he Department of Land Transport has announced that there will be no training or testing to obtain a driver's license at all offices from 2nd January 2021 until further notice  

 

I know the test is a joke but even so haha

4 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

He can be as concerned as he likes, but actions speak louder than words! There is no enforcement, hence no respect for the law! Drink driving is a problem in any country, but they take a very serious view of it with hefty fines and a minimum 12 months disqualification for first offence and often imprisonment for a subsequent offence. In addition there are mandatory alcohol awareness courses plus any insurance premiums afterwards are raised considerably. Drink drivers will not be caught whilst sitting drinking coffee under an awning, they need to be out patrolling the roads in cars or proper motorcycles. Policing in this country is a disgrace! Concern doesn't catch criminals! 

....Policing in this country is a disgrace!...Agree 110%..

4 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

He can be as concerned as he likes, but actions speak louder than words! There is no enforcement, hence no respect for the law! Drink driving is a problem in any country, but they take a very serious view of it with hefty fines and a minimum 12 months disqualification for first offence and often imprisonment for a subsequent offence. In addition there are mandatory alcohol awareness courses plus any insurance premiums afterwards are raised considerably. Drink drivers will not be caught whilst sitting drinking coffee under an awning, they need to be out patrolling the roads in cars or proper motorcycles. Policing in this country is a disgrace! Concern doesn't catch criminals! 

 

Actually there were a lot of traffic police at intersections on Sathorn & Rama IV yesterday, which I assume was driving related. For once motocys stopped at red traffic lights.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concerns about the increasing number of road accidents during the New Year holidays

because it makes him appear as if he cares.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

always think about your family and the safety of other road users whenever you are behind the wheel.”

That is  a joke in the land of me, me, me, do you know who I am, get out of my way, I park where I like, I am in a car, you are on a motorcycle, and the lowest in the food chain of I am on a bycycle, you are a pedestrian..

At least virtually no one is dying of covid again or they are waiting to get in a car ???? 

6 hours ago, YetAnother said:

what is the legal speeding limit while stopped at a checkpoint ?

Vertically it's  unlimited.

The solution to Thailand's horrendous road death toll is exactly the same as for any other place on earth, it isn't a hidden mystery that needs endless committees to investigate. For whatever reason the decision is to not do anything about or it would have happened long ago. Seems the odd press release feigning concern is just for PR.

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

One has to wonder why people come to live here if they don't like the way the country is run and policed.

In some countries it would be called freedom, but apparently not here?

Yes people like it here because of the freedom but nobody in any country should have the freedom to kill or maim other people through irresponsible behavior. Take your own life if you wish but you have no right to my life.

Why does this Man always make these statements.

He always " concerned or "worried "  about something.

As a prime Minister he should be Concerned and Worried enough to actually do something about the Carnage inflicted on many innocent People on the Thai Roads.

After all, its his Job.

Our PM is "concerned" but will never do anything to curb it.

Dear Sir,

I will say this once again,

Please put the human rights violation rubbish back in the drawer & put 200 mufti cops on the roads NOW.

I know the increase in petrol costs will require an increase in budget but needs to be done.

Drunk drivers very rarely drive in a straight line & have an amazing ability to behave at road blocks.

I see it every day