April 1st is D-Day for DUI in Bangkok - "transparent" checkpoints make comeback in capital

[webfact]

Picture: Amarin TV

 

Thai media Amarin TV said that DUI checkpoints were making a comeback in the Thai capital Bangkok from this Thursday, April 1st.

 

They said it would be D-Day. 

 

They are the new checkpoints that aim for openness and transparency, the idea of Royal Thai Police chief General Suwat Chaengyodsuk who took over his post in September.

 

They are clearly intended as a signal to crack down on drinking and driving ahead of the Songkran festival the week after next, notes Thaivisa.

 

Details for all metropolitan police station were contained in a letter from the chief. 

 

Station chiefs have been told that the checkpoints must be set up in areas where there are frequent accidents or where the stats show there are problems. 

 

Signage must be clear - the station chief must be named and the person in charge of the checkpoint articulated. 

 

All those present must be in full uniform including any volunteers drafted in for the purpose. 

 

Picture: Amarin TV

 

Previous reports suggested a detailed several point procedure that police must follow in stopping, testing and issuing tickets.

 

Amarin TV said that this would be above board and clear with speed and clarity in the issuing of citations. 

 

The signage must also state how many days the checkpoints will be in operation such as 7, 15 or a full month. 

 

Coordination between police departments has been stressed. 

 

Critics have pointed out that the old method of sneaking up on drunk drivers was effective and that this new openness will just tell everyone where the checkpoints are leading to drunks avoiding them. 

 

While others see a more transparent approach adopted by the police as a good thing especially with the amount of backhanders handed over in the past from those that could afford to circumvent the regulations. 

 

The new regulations were displayed for the press in a PR show near Thong Lo station last year when Suwat took over. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-29

 

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[CelticBhoy]

I thought that was a "LEO" umbrella in the pic  .  .  .  ????

[JCauto]

Appropriate date for the latest and greatest "crackdown". 

[Paul Henry]

Great idea putting up a sign saying how long the breath test will be at that location. Anyone who thinks that they may be DUI will take a different route. Great planning and foresight. Other countries randomly move them around a few times each night or day.

[RichardColeman]

20 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Great idea putting up a sign saying how long the breath test will be at that location. Anyone who thinks that they may be DUI will take a different route. Great planning and foresight.

Thailand testing of drunks follows the same as their covid testing - ignorance is bliss. This plan - as you say - directs drunks in other routes where they wont be tested ,no tests, no found drunks

[AhFarangJa]

in today's modern society of communication why not have an app you can download which will give the date, position, timing etc of each checkpoint.............????

Sarcasm mode now disengaged..........

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

They said it would be D-Day. 

Should be 365 days... if they were serious.

[connda]

Dear Drunks,

The RTP will be manning checkpoints at <locations> that will be manned from <times>. 
Please make alternated driving plans and pick a different route should you be inebriated and feel a need to get behind the wheel and engage in drink driving.
Thank you <salute>
RTP

[impulse]

9 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

in today's modern society of communication why not have an app you can download which will give the date, position, timing etc of each checkpoint.............

Sarcasm mode now disengaged..........

 

What...  You don't think Thai netizens have come up with one yet? 

 

I don't know if they'll use Facebook, LINE, Google Maps, Waze, or some other venue, but I promise you the word will be out (with maps) 5 minutes after they set up the checkpoints.

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by impulse

[richard_smith237]

Another ‘crack down’ from the ‘hub of crackdowns’...

 

It’ll all be forgotten about until by next week, at least until we read about netizens outrage as a drunk person cuts a poor laborer in half with their Porsche !