Daytime boozers beware! RTP on ALL DAY lookout for Songkran DUI offenders in Bangkok

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Police in the Thai capital Bangkok have changed their approach to catching DUI offenders this Songkran holiday, that begins later this week.

 

Motorists may also be lucky to get some chicken essence at checkpoints.

 

Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek noted at a ceremony on Monday at the New Southern Bus Station that 12 midnight checkpoints had proved inadequate.

 

Studies has shown that Thais were getting drunk all day during Songkran.

 

So for this year the alcohol and drug checkpoints - nearly 100 of them - would be set up from NOON.

 

A total of 4,000 officers have been mobilized to cover outward bound journeys, 11 big events in the capital and 100 smaller ones and the checkpoints.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Of the 100 checkpoints a few were looking for non-helmet wearing, red light transgressors and people speeding.

 

But nearly 100 were on the lookout for drunk and drugged up drivers, reported Siam Rath.

 

First priority for the moblization plans of the RTP, Land Transport Department and related agencies was to look after the travelling public at Mo Chit, Don Muang airport and the southern terminal.

 

Hundreds have been given tasks at those transport hubs for the outgoing Songkran traffic starting tomorrow and the incoming beginning on Sunday.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath's story was accompanied by a picture of police with an unidentified foreigner. This advertised that 100,000 bottles of Brands Chicken Essence would be handed out free at Songkran.

 

The handing out of the chicken essence at checkpoints became a much commented upon thread on Thaivisa prior to the pandemic.

 

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[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

So for this year the alcohol and drug checkpoints - nearly 100 of them - would be set up from NOON.

thanks for the info!

 

will be sure to start drinking at 5am and on the bike for 11:30..

[Dmaxdan]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

Motorists may also be lucky to get some chicken essence at checkpoints.

Lucky? Is this some meaning of the word that I was previously unaware of?

[Tropicalevo]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Studies has shown that Thais were getting drunk all day during Songkran.

Wow. The penny finally drops?

[Dmaxdan]

They need to start breathalyzing drivers first thing in the morning as well. 

[2baht]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

So for this year the alcohol and drug checkpoints - nearly 100 of them - would be set up from NOON.

AT NOON! Heavens, they are such innovators!

[anchadian]

Same same every year from these so called RTP.

[dinsdale]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

Of the 100 checkpoints a few were looking for non-helmet wearing, red light transgressors and people speeding.

Let's say a few is 3-5 so if you speed through a red light not wearing a helmet through the other 95-97 checkpoints you'll be ok.

[Snig27]

Meanwhile I was almost killed on a crossing yesterday by a speeding car that didn't stop for the red. The cop watching quickly went back to his Facebook. 

[BadSpottedDog]

They needed to read studies to know that Thais (and foreigners) get drunk during the day at Songkran? Or any other day for that matter? 

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Of the 100 checkpoints a few were looking for non-helmet wearing, red light transgressors and people speeding.

 

But nearly 100 were on the lookout for drunk and drugged up drivers, reported Siam Rath.

This makes no sense at all. Some only look for some illegal behaviour, and if it's not on their list they ignore it?

[madmitch]

I assume they will take a break between 2pm and 5pm as no alcohol is available at this time 

[Seeall]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Wow. The penny finally drops?

Do they need a confirmation study perhaps?

[PETERTHEEATER]

Does this mean I have to change my amulet?

[h90]

3 hours ago, bob smith said:

thanks for the info!

 

will be sure to start drinking at 5am and on the bike for 11:30..

or still drinking....

[Gandtee]

4 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Lucky? Is this some meaning of the word that I was previously unaware of?

You've missed the essence of the report.????

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

I assume they will take a break between 2pm and 5pm as no alcohol is available at this time 

Obviously no Ma and Pa stores near you then 

[hotchilli]

The only way to stop DUI is 24/7 and 365 days of the year.

Maybe in another 20 years they will have figured that one out.

[kennw]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

This makes no sense at all. Some only look for some illegal behaviour, and if it's not on their list they ignore it?

There's no pleasing some people, we all know this is something they should do all the time but at least lets appreciate the effort announced and give praise for that. 

[loong]

Why only in Bangkok?

 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmmm... sounds good. I guess the proof will be if they are out on the road and actually do something

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Let's say a few is 3-5 so if you speed through a red light not wearing a helmet through the other 95-97 checkpoints you'll be ok.

I had another thought. Before 12:00 pm I can also do this drunk. Just empty headed idiots running the show. TIT.

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

Good idea as long as they check all their staff on checkpoints first, last time  was stopped the RTP officer was drunk, I was the sober one !!

[Cake Monster]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Studies has shown that Thais were getting drunk all day during Songkran

This is not strictly correct

Many are getting drunk from the moment they wake up in the Mornings - all Year round

[oldestswinger]

5 hours ago, 2baht said:

AT NOON! Heavens, they are such innovators!

Come on. The police have got to sleep off their hangovers.

[oldestswinger]

3 hours ago, Seeall said:

Do they need a confirmation study perhaps?

They'll have to form a committee to decide that.

[thailand49]

I see tents lots of them but like always no checking. 

[ChrisKC]

100 checkpoints- 10,000 checkpoints wouldn't be enough for reasonable Thailand coverage. 

 

As long as you don't meet a checkpoint or turn around when you see one, you will be fine - drunk or not.

[jingjai9]

Is this tactic of multiple checkpoints intended to stop danger on the highways or simply another way to enrich the police.

Will there be any records kept of who receives citations and fines? Does anyone follow the money?
Will offenders be booked, held and arraigned or will people simply pay a fine by the roadside and continue along on their merry way still intoxicated?  Will there be violation points put on licenses?

Sounds to me like this is just more of the same up to the point where these DUI campaigns simply insult the intelligence of the general public. People need to be reassured that moral, sound law enforcement is in motion and until that happens, Thailand will continue to spin in a treadmill of corruption.

I pray that Thailand can be saved from itself. This is a wonderful country with lovely people in general. Unfortunately, it has allowed itself to slowly sink into a swamp of corruption - over the years, gradually but steadily.

 

Does this analogy work:

corruption is to Thailand as guns are to America



 

[josephbloggs]

7 minutes ago, jingjai9 said:

Is this tactic of multiple checkpoints intended to stop danger on the highways or simply another way to enrich the police.

Will there be any records kept of who receives citations and fines? Does anyone follow the money?
Will offenders be booked, held and arraigned or will people simply pay a fine by the roadside and continue along on their merry way still intoxicated?  Will there be violation points put on licenses?

Sounds to me like this is just more of the same up to the point where these DUI campaigns simply insult the intelligence of the general public. People need to be reassured that moral, sound law enforcement is in motion and until that happens, Thailand will continue to spin in a treadmill of corruption.

I pray that Thailand can be saved from itself. This is a wonderful country with lovely people in general. Unfortunately, it has allowed itself to slowly sink into a swamp of corruption - over the years, gradually but steadily.

 

Does this analogy work:

corruption is to Thailand as guns are to America



 

Well a few months ago i got stopped at a check in Bangkok. All six lanes (three in each direction) blocked.  Very polite, very professional. Everyone had a pre-check (blow ON TO a machine) then if flagged you are out of your car to do a full breathyliser test, unwrapped in front of you.  And all of it was on camera with permanent cameras set up and monitors showing you what they were seeing. And they would show everything to the cameras.  So no chance for a bribe. Oh and they also checked my driving license under a microscope. 
 

it was the most professional police operation i have ever seen here so hats off to them. I hope during Songkran it will be more of the same. Credit where it is due (and yes they could do more).