Thousands face jail in Thailand for repeat DUI offences

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Repeat DUI offenders face jail

 

Daily News reported that new legislation in Thailand will see the courts definitely jail offenders for repeat drink driving offences. 

 

They said that the old slogan familiar to Thais was "DUI - face arrest and probation".

 

Now it was "DUI - do it again and go to jail". 

 

The media - well known for its campaigns to raise awareness about the appalling carnage on the Thai roads - said that the pandemic saw a few less accidents but now things were back to the grim normal.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

MoPH figures for fatalities in the first half of this year showed 8,624 deaths or 13.22 per 100,000 people.

 

That's 1,437 a month.

 

It was just over 300 down on the previous year.

 

Motorcyclists made up 82.72% of the fatalities.

 

Then it was people in cars 9.81%, small trucks and vans 4.49% and pedestrians 2.98%.

 

The age group most affected by fatality on the roads were 15-24 year olds.

 

DUI continues to be one of the biggest reasons for death.

 

New legislation means that a first offence will warrant a possible prison term of up to a year with a fine of 5-20,000 baht. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Most offenders, however, get off with probation and a fine.

 

But from now on repeat offenders will face two years in jail and fines of 50-100,000 baht.

 

The courts will jail people for sure if they offend again.

 

Offenders will face worse punishment (up about 30%) if they drive drunk while suspended or have no licence and the courts will be able to impose 50% more punishment in the event of causing injury or death.

 

Up to 2018 there were 41,510 people on probation for DUI offences. 

 

Repeat offenders in the next three years were:

2019: 1,294
2020: 1,039
2021*: 589

(*This was stated as 2020 also in the story, ASEAN NOW suggests it was a typo).

 

Under the new laws these thousands of repeat offenders would face jail "for sure" from the courts, said Daily News who added that in addition to jail you'll lose "your job and your future". 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-09-21

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[JoePai]

Why not jail them for (say) 6 months for the first offence - then keep doubling it for subsequent offences?

[KhunBENQ]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

Motorcyclists made up 82.72% of the fatalities.

 

Then it was people in cars 9.81%, small trucks and vans 4.49% and pedestrians 2.98%.

 

The age group most affected by fatality on the roads were 15-24 year olds.

 

DUI continues to be one of the biggest reasons for death.

DUI is surely a big problem but the combination of 15(actually 10?) to 24 year old plus motorcycle is still THE number one problem to my opinion.

Not so many drunk 15 to 24 old on motorbikes.

[Bert got kinky]

 

Just have all vehicles fitted with a 'sealed' breathalyzer connected to the ignition system and jail anyone found to have tampered with the seal.

 

[huangnon]

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

DUI is surely a big problem but the combination of 15(actually 10?) to 24 year old plus motorcycle is still THE number one problem to my opinion.

Not so many drunk 15 to 24 old on motorbikes.

It's the drunks driving over them in SUV's, pickups, and trucks?

[simple1]

Step in the right direction, but will police mostly forego bribes and actually enforce the law?

[overherebc]

12 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

Just have all vehicles fitted with a 'sealed' breathalyzer connected to the ignition system and jail anyone found to have tampered with the seal.

 

That would depend on who their father is.

[KhunBENQ]

13 minutes ago, huangnon said:

It's the drunks driving over them in SUV's, pickups, and trucks?

But no question that the majority of such accidents is due to irresponsible/careless behavior of young bike/scooter riders,

Edited September 21, 2022 by KhunBENQ

[bob smith]

does this law apply to foreigners as well or only thais?

asking for a friend.

[Photoguy21]

And take the vehicle and crush it. They may get the message then

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

They needed to wait until the jails were cleared of those incarcerated for simple possession of ganja before they could start stuffing them full with DUI offenders.

[sammieuk1]

The driving standard is no better sober just jail them all ????

[Photoguy21]

Just now, bob smith said:

does this law apply to foreigners as well or only thais?

asking for a friend.

It applies to everyone

[transam]

Probably now pay more to stay out of clink....????

[2baht]

31 minutes ago, bob smith said:

does this law apply to foreigners as well or only thais?

asking for a friend.

If their girlfriend is an actress, they will probably get off. ????

[huangnon]

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

But no question that the majority of such accidents is due to irresponsible/careless behavior of young bike/scooter riders,

Yep, a combination of the fecklessness of youth v "might is right" attitude.

[vandeventer]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

Why not jail them for (say) 6 months for the first offence - then keep doubling it for subsequent offences?

So what about the weed users, will you throw the book at them also?

[Geir Rasch]

I'm afraid this does not apply for people with connections. Also interesting to know how they will collect fines from people without means?

[4MyEgo]

I know of a guy who would say that he can see those get out of jail cards doubling now, last time he was done his reading was about 60 allegedly, the legal requirement being 50 and under, so technically speaking, he was over according to the officer.

 

He said the policeman told him you go to jail and pay 20,000 baht fine, or pay 10,000 baht now and you go home, apparently drove him to an ATM and he paid the 10,000 baht.

 

I guess here there is no way of arguing your not drunk, spend the night in jail and see what the judge says, if you prefer. Don't know what I would do in such a situation, certainly wouldn't want to spend the night in jail, and how would I prove my case ?

 

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[spidermike007]

I think it is a good idea. From a legislative point of view. Now, getting the spectacularly weak and highly partial judicial system to actually enforce the law will be the biggest challenge. 

[worgeordie]

The problem is , how often do you see Police out and about ,

so the only way,unless they have an accident ,are roadblocks ,

 

Everytime a VIP comes to town ,there's Police at every junction ,

small soi , preventing cars , motor bikes coming onto the main

road , so the motorcade passes unhindered , after it passes

the Police melt away ,who knows where , never to be seen

again until another VIP is coming , or the set a roadblock up,

mostly in the day time for easy targets , no helmets ,license .tax.

 

regards Worgeordie

.

 

[ChrisY1]

"But from now on repeat offenders will face two years in jail and fines of 50-100,000 baht."......Yeh..just you wait!

[Bangkok Barry]

47 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

The problem is , how often do you see Police out and about ,

so the only way,unless they have an accident ,are roadblocks ,

 

Everytime a VIP comes to town ,there's Police at every junction ,

small soi , preventing cars , motor bikes coming onto the main

road , so the motorcade passes unhindered , after it passes

the Police melt away ,who knows where , never to be seen

again until another VIP is coming , or the set a roadblock up,

mostly in the day time for easy targets , no helmets ,license .tax.

 

regards Worgeordie

.

 

My brother-in-law is a policeman. I asked my wife what he actually does and she has no idea.

[marcho]

4 hours ago, bob smith said:

does this law apply to foreigners as well or only thais?

asking for a friend.

It's for every one. You think us fangs are special. I say we will get the heavy penalty. 

[jak2002003]

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

But no question that the majority of such accidents is due to irresponsible/careless behavior of young bike/scooter riders,

Oh, interesting.  I did not know that.  Can you show me a link?

 

 

[kennw]

5 hours ago, huangnon said:

It's the drunks driving over them in SUV's, pickups, and trucks?

Not what you want to think, many times sober drivers hitting motorbike running red lights, wrong direction, turning from wrong lanes, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, need I go on?

[kennw]

14 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Oh, interesting.  I did not know that.  Can you show me a link?

 

 

Here more than 80% are bikes what more do you need to know, in Australia it is 18%

[kcpattaya]

Speaking from experience:

Even when you are <deleted>-drunk (car or motorbike), for an X-amount of cash, 9 out of 10 police officers will let you pass and continue your way.

Now, THAT is the reality.

[zzaa09]

At this rate, we'll have to be building more jails/prisons at every level - all of which seems to be the [only] growing industry in much of the dumbed down civilised world - and quite accepted by the unaware and distant populations. 

 

You know how that is......can never have enough prisons and incarcerated, instead of getting to the societal root and repairing such particular issues. 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

I used to rent a room to a guy that had THREE drink driving convictions, after I booted hi out for being an alcoholic, he got a FOURTH.

 

These people do not learn.

 

I say 1st, 3 months prison, 2nd 6 months, 3rd a year, 4th 2 years, 5th 4 years etc.

 

I'd also like Judges to ban people for life after 3 convictions, but never happen