Drunk drivers in Thailand may face stiffer penalties

[snoop1130]

 

Motorists are being reminded of the higher penalties for drunk driving under the amended Land Traffic Act, which is now ineffect.

 

Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said that, under the amended traffic law, once convicted of drunk driving an offender faces a maximum one-year prisonsentence and/or a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 baht for the first offence.

 

For a second offence within two years, the repeat offender faces up to two years in prison and/or a fine of between 50,000 and 100,000 baht. She said that the court may impose both imprisonment and a fine for the offence and may suspend the driver’s license for one year or revoke the license.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/drunk-drivers-in-thailand-may-face-stiffer-penalties/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-01

 

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[Wiggy]

What the article fails to mention is that the penalties tend to depend on what car you’re driving and ‘who you are.’  
It will have almost no effect though, as with previous changes. 

[ThailandRyan]

Mandatory Interlock system for the drivers vehicle with mandatory alcohol intervention classes for the driver and then 30 days of assisting the families of the innocent killed by a drunk driver.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device

Edited January 1, 2023 by ThailandRyan

[worgeordie]

"may face stiffer penalties"  May should not even come into it , Yes they 

definitely need to be stiffer penalties ,especially if involved in accidents,

mandatory prison time ,lost of license .

regards Worgeordie

[jacko45k]

Fine up to 20,000 baht... I know a few people who paid more in total when they seemed to be getting serious about it, about 3 or 4 years ago in Pattaya. Why did that stop?

[Dmaxdan]

A new year and the same old empty threats rear their ugly heads yet again.

When are these people going to realize that actions speak louder than words. 

Until they start releasing actual footage of devastated DUI miscreants being marched off to start their prison sentences then these so called stiffer penalties will never be taken seriously.

 

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

A new year and the same old empty threats rear their ugly heads yet again.

When are these people going to realize that actions speak louder than words. 

Until they start releasing actual footage of devastated DUI miscreants being marched off to start their prison sentences then these so called stiffer penalties will never be taken seriously.

 

And presumably any foreigners caught would be deported and blacklisted after jail... sad for any wife and kids left behind but a serious deterrent!

[ozimoron]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

And presumably any foreigners caught would be deported and blacklisted after jail... sad for any wife and kids left behind but a serious deterrent!

It's jail time in my country for anything above 0.15.

 

There is a solution. Too many are being killed on the roads by drunk drivers. That's far worse than any stupid farang leaving his wife and kids stranded.

[IvorBiggun2]

The jails here are well overcrowded as it is. My BiL had a report to jail date for whatever offence he did this time and they told him to go away and come back in 30 days, due to no room at the jail. I have to say that my BiL is a seasoned criminal with jail time for attempted murder, drugs, gambling etc and not a first timer.

[vangrop]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Mandatory Interlock system for the drivers vehicle with mandatory alcohol intervention classes for the driver and then 30 days of assisting the families of the innocent killed by a drunk driver.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device

This would work in a normal country and is very effective. But TIT, do you see them apply that? I was thinking about an alcohol lock system in their 30 year old pick ups and than bursted out in a big laughing to misunderstanding of the GF.

[Resident Alien]

They must be caught first.

 

 

[ozz1]

Thailand is one of the few countries that doesn't have random breath tests I guess if they did the jail's would be full

[couchpotato]

7 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

Thailand is one of the few countries that doesn't have random breath tests I guess if they did the jail's would be full

Oh but they do. Have encountered many breath tests' at Pattaya police checks over the past few years.  (normally on the railway Road).

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

Thailand is one of the few countries that doesn't have random breath tests I guess if they did the jail's would be full

Au contraire.... they have the check-points where they breathalyse drivers - unfortunately, these are in predictable locations at predictable times and are seen as nothing more than a ‘money maker’ with the police amassing bribes on the spot fines. 

 

The UK on the other hand does not have ‘random’ breath testing.... the Police have to have a reason to pull over a driver - i.e. driving erratically, weaving, not staying in lane, speeding etc...  the difference in the UK is that there is no flexibility whatsoever, if you are caught DUI you are in trouble, no if’s or buts, whereas Thailand the BiB enable the continued behaviour by accepting bribes - money speaks here. 

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

higher penalties for drunk driving

I hope this includes foreigners who drive home by car or motorcycle from a favorite bar stool after a session of pontificating!! 

[lujanit]

If the BIB do pull you over you whether you are driving or walking you are targeted as a ATM.  god I hate the BIB, they are nothing but Thailand's mafia in a brown uniform.

[MadMuhammad]

9 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I hope this includes foreigners who drive home by car or motorcycle from a favorite bar stool after a session of pontificating!! 

I resemble that insult! 

[Harsh Jones]

17 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Mandatory Interlock system for the drivers vehicle with mandatory alcohol intervention classes for the driver and then 30 days of assisting the families of the innocent killed by a drunk driver.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_interlock_device

You've never drunk drove ever ? Sometimes accidents arent the direct result of alcohol. 

[Harsh Jones]

9 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I hope this includes foreigners who drive home by car or motorcycle from a favorite bar stool after a session of pontificating!! 

Why motorcycle ? 

[mikebell]

15 hours ago, Resident Alien said:

They must be caught first.

 

 

The higher penalties will only result in higher bribes demanded by the BIB (Bandits-in-Brown.)

[smedly]

the problem is not penalties it is lack of effort by police on detection, penalties are almost useless if a drunk driver believes the chances of getting caught are next to zero unless of course they have an accident but it's too late then and of course then we have a drunk driver that flees the scene of an accident - the other issue, penalties for leaving the scene should be just as severe as drunk driving itself

[smedly]

11 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

I hope this includes foreigners who drive home by car or motorcycle from a favorite bar stool after a session of pontificating!! 

it should include anyone and any type of vehicle 

[steven100]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

maximum one-year prisonsentence and/or a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 baht for the first offence

however,  for murder we'll talk about it and see what can be negotiated.

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Harsh Jones said:

You've never drunk drove ever ? Sometimes accidents arent the direct result of alcohol. 

Does not matter people should never drink and drive those that do should get high fines and those that are involved in an accident mandatory jailtime.

[robblok]

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

however,  for murder we'll talk about it and see what can be negotiated.

I feel people who drink and drive should be prosecuted as murderess if they kill someone with their car while drunk and driving. (same goes for other drugs of course)

[Kenchamp]

Stiffer penalties means higher bribes needed to escape justice.

Most farang in the Pattaya area know that 200000 gets you off there and then under most circumstances. 

And take note. I did not say i agree with this state of affairs

[robblok]

30 minutes ago, Kenchamp said:

Stiffer penalties means higher bribes needed to escape justice.

Most farang in the Pattaya area know that 200000 gets you off there and then under most circumstances. 

And take note. I did not say i agree with this state of affairs

Then it still works as it costs more to get away. I also dont agree but if higher punishments results in higher bribes then in a way its extra punishment and maybe some of those idiots will learn.

 

Drinking and driving is just selfish and puts others at risk.

[IvorBiggun2]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Drinking and driving is just selfish and puts others at risk.

No need for Thais to drink drive to put others at risk. Just the day to day standard of driving is enough.

[robblok]

Just now, IvorBiggun2 said:

No need for Thais to drink drive to put others at risk. Just the day to day standard of driving is enough.

Right the standard excuse of expats i drive better drunk then Thais do sober. Its not like i have not heard that one before.

[Watchit]

I prefer the old days in Thailand where you could do what you liked.

Many a night i didn't know how i got my bike home. Even used to get waved at by the cops as i rode pass the bar they were in.