File photo

 

OPINION

 

Every year the Royal Thai Police say they are getting tough on road traffic offences at Songkran.

 

Every year the messages come down from the politicians to do something.

 

Every year they promise that this will be the last year of Thais disregarding the DUI laws.

 

Every year they have a new gimmick, a new target tweaked to help with getting a better percentage.

 

Every year they concoct some post-Songkran improvement. Some reason not to lose face.

 

Every year they then go back to doing what they did before the holidays. 

 

But every year the figures speak for themselves - they are, along with ignoring road traffic issues for most of the rest of the 50 weeks of the year, a national disgrace. 

 

File photo

 

So what is the difference this year with the latest pronouncement published from the RTP by Thai Rath yesterday.

 

Nothing.

 

The headlines say "this year we mean it". "This year we intend to get it fixed". "This year the people will see the difference". 

 

"This year beware - the RTP mean business".

 

Oh yes we do!

 

In order to achieve traffic flow on a a macro scale they have that gimmick - two in fact in the guise of what the RTP rather loosely call their masterplans. 

 

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Masterplan 1 is utilizing reversible lanes. 

 

In this scheme 217 kms of roads across ten provinces will see the road direction changed at whim.

 

Masterplan 2 is banning ten wheel trucks and bigger from some routes in seven provinces on certain days. 

 

Top policemen have consulted for days, maybe even weeks, to come up with those.But it's not all.

 

What about the DUI crackdown?

 

Yes, this is serious this year. Very serious. So serious in fact that everyone involved in an accident from next Monday will be tested for alcohol.

 

This will continue throughout the traditional Thai New Year.

 

Also there will be a crackdown on youth drinking. Underage children who have got drunk will see vendors who sold them liquour prosecuted.

 

And parents will face sanction under child laws.  

 

Things are expected to get going from the 8th with the busiest times 12th and 13th April. Also 13th-15th are public holidays. 

 

6.7 million people are expected to leave and enter the Thai capital Bangkok.

 

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Same old record played out every year. Just the same as the RTP taking money for those involved and letting those DUI get away

And every year the police do very little about road traffic laws, & every year the politicians do even less  about making sure the police  are doing their jobs ,,,,,,,"Carry on Crashing"

Edited April 1, 20224 yr by actonion

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The headlines say "this year we mean it". "This year we intend to get it fixed". "This year the people will see the difference". 

 

"This year beware - the RTP mean business".

 

Oh yes we do!

Riiiiiight. ????

Get the tents out boys, make sure your phone is charged up, 10 days of Candy Crush coming up.

A hard hitting article.  Do these ever get translated into Thai?  This needs posting in EVERY police station AKA Dens of Iniquity.

Their cunning plan somehow always involves 20+ personnel in one big group at a static checkpoint under a tent with a refreshments table, and no one even pretending to look out at the road. Actually going out on the highway and pulling over reckless drivers never seems to be an option.

I posted before on this thread but just realised it is April 1st so perhaps this explains the police statement ????

????????????

3 hours ago, webfact said:

What about the DUI crackdown?

 

Yes, this is serious this year. Very serious. So serious in fact that everyone involved in an accident from next Monday will be tested for alcohol.

so what is the message here

 

all other times DUI is ok

 

 

Laws should be enforced 365 days a year not a few days over a holiday period

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Every year they have a new gimmick,

We've had this one for the last 7-8 years.

yes, guys, please wait until after Songkran. you will have your chance to kill yourself later

RTP promise strict action on DUI at Songkran

 

Oh come on RTP, I know its April 1st but that joke is getting really boring now after how many years!

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Their cunning plan somehow always involves 20+ personnel in one big group at a static checkpoint under a tent with a refreshments table, and no one even pretending to look out at the road. Actually going out on the highway and pulling over reckless drivers never seems to be an option.

As my wife would say  "Oh no, not in Thailand, not the same" lol

RTP oxygen thieves strike again

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Every year the Royal Thai Police say they are getting tough on road traffic offences at Songkran.

 

Every year the messages come down from the politicians to do something.

 

Every year they promise that this will be the last year of Thais disregarding the DUI laws.

 

Every year they have a new gimmick, a new target tweaked to help with getting a better percentage.

 

Every year they concoct some post-Songkran improvement. Some reason not to lose face.

 

Every year they then go back to doing what they did before the holidays. 

So basically every year they lie. 

Maybe they should all be fined 1,000 baht for every death over the period - no money for the month and having to pay thousands back, they may get off their bottoms

Might be better served if they did the checks on drivers before they are involved in an accident 

Considering they should be ENFORCING the LAW 24/7 tis is just another sound-bite to make them feel good.

Basically many of them are in my world should be called Uniform Carriers , wearn the kit but unable to do the job . 

be nice if it WORKS ////???????

On 4/1/2022 at 8:51 AM, actonion said:

And every year the police do very little about road traffic laws, & every year the politicians do even less  about making sure the police  are doing their jobs ,,,,,,,"Carry on Crashing"

Politicians?? It's mainly soldiers who are running the country.

17 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

So basically every year they lie. 

Well it is their default setting after all!

It astounds me that they do not have random breath checks and breath testing devices in all police vehicles, and during peak periods random breath testing busses deployed on all major roads, with minor roads blocked off so miscreants cannot escape detection. Also random  breath and drug testing for each driver stopped for any infringement.

30 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

It astounds me that they do not have random breath checks and breath testing devices in all police vehicles, and during peak periods random breath testing busses deployed on all major roads, with minor roads blocked off so miscreants cannot escape detection. Also random  breath and drug testing for each driver stopped for any infringement.

That's proper police work, not known to this bunch of gangsters.

Starting Monday. Good timing as it leaves just enough time for the police to stuff their pocket in order to afford a proper Songkran celebration.

Every person involved in an accident will be tested for alcohol? 

 

Even those in expensive cars with special number plates?

 

Though not!

These work the best they should use more of them.

You know if they can't get it right when they really really mean it what chance have the other fifty one weeks of the year got.