Canadian biker arrested for DUI in Phuket

[webfact]

 

A Canadian biker, identified as Mr. Felix, was apprehended in Patong, Phuket for driving under the influence on the 1st of May, as per the Patong Police reports.

 

The law enforcement authorities initiated a checkpoint near the Dolphin Roundabout on Taweewong Road. Here, they halted a suspicious male biker around 4:00 A.M., who subsequently underwent an alcohol breath test.

 

The test results revealed an alcohol level of .59 milligrams percent, surpassing the legal limit of .50. Consequently, Mr. Felix was escorted to the Patong Police Station to be charged with drunk driving. He has yet to issue a public response or a statement to the media about the incident.

 

TOP Picture courtesy of The Phuket Express

 

-- 2024-05-02

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[richard_smith237]

Being that close to the legal limit I'd want an official blood test from a hospital....  how accurate are the police breathalysers in Thailand ?

 

 

[AreYouGerman]

Deport him.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Being that close to the legal limit I'd want an official blood test from a hospital....  how accurate are the police breathalysers in Thailand ?

 

 

As accurate as they want them to be.

[sikishrory]

I heard the limit was 0 (no alchohol)

Guess not

[stoner]

my name isn't felix and this was not me. sorry. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

authorities initiated a checkpoint near the Dolphin Roundabout

Those damn dolphin roundabouts, we have one in Pattaya where they have checkpoints set up. 

 

[gargamon]

Damn Canadians.

[stoner]

2 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Damn Canadians.

 

sorry.

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A Canadian biker, identified as Mr. Felix, was apprehended in Patong, Phuket for driving under the influence on the 1st of May, as per the Patong Police reports.

 

The law enforcement authorities initiated a checkpoint near the Dolphin Roundabout on Taweewong Road. Here, they halted a suspicious male biker around 4:00 A.M., who subsequently underwent an alcohol breath test.

 

The test results revealed an alcohol level of .59 milligrams percent, surpassing the legal limit of .50. Consequently, Mr. Felix was escorted to the Patong Police Station to be charged with drunk driving. He has yet to issue a public response or a statement to the media about the incident.

 

TOP Picture courtesy of The Phuket Express

 

-- 2024-05-02

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Well done RTP. Better even to let him stay for a week in prison. He could have caused fatal accidents as a drunk.

[Andre0720]

35 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Well done RTP. Better even to let him stay for a week in prison. He could have caused fatal accidents as a drunk.

With such a low level of blood alcohol, might very well be less dangerous than most sober people on these roads, that cause just about no concern to the RTP.

Edited May 2 by Andre0720
Added text...

[newbee2022]

13 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

With such a low level of blood alcohol, might very well be less dangerous than most sober people on these roads, that cause just about no concern to the RTP.

It's not about low levels of alc and not about other people. It's just to point out that you should not drive under influence of alc. I'm very sure in your home country they wouldn't smile if you caused an accident, by saying you got only low level of alc? 

What makes you think that in Thailand it doesn't matter?😳

[fredwiggy]

51 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

It's not about low levels of alc and not about other people. It's just to point out that you should not drive under influence of alc. I'm very sure in your home country they wouldn't smile if you caused an accident, by saying you got only low level of alc? 

What makes you think that in Thailand it doesn't matter?😳

By the amount of daily accidents and deaths involving drunken drivers, that this has been going on for decades, that nothing is really much done about it, as the laws are on the book but not enforced like they should be. In Texas alone, first offense can be a fine of up to $2000 USD, plus up to 180 days in jail. Of course most get less but always a fine. Second offense minimum of 4 days in jail , maximum one year in jail plus probation, third offense up to 10 years in jail, or a year if probation is given, and a fine of up to $10,000 USD, and it will be a felony conviction, and all types of varying degrees of punishment, but punishment is given all the time, and severe enough to stop some or keep them off the roads awhile.

Edited May 2 by fredwiggy

[Mises]

The UK limit for driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

 

The limit here in Thailand is 50 milligrams per 100millilitres  of blood, 59 would be ok in the UK and he was certainly not drunk, maybe he just did not want to pay the on-the-spot fine.

[Andre0720]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

It's not about low levels of alc and not about other people. It's just to point out that you should not drive under influence of alc. I'm very sure in your home country they wouldn't smile if you caused an accident, by saying you got only low level of alc? 

What makes you think that in Thailand it doesn't matter?😳

Please read and try to understand what I wrote.

I did not write that DUI did not matter in Thailand.

I wrote that just about every other dangerous and reckless driving does not seem to matter in Thailand.

My home country would of course act in cases of DUI, but would also act in cases of other traffic laws violations....

[newbee2022]

3 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

home country would of course act in cases of DUI

...and that's all about.

Zero alc when driving! 

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

It's not about low levels of alc and not about other people. It's just to point out that you should not drive under influence of alc. I'm very sure in your home country they wouldn't smile if you caused an accident, by saying you got only low level of alc? 

What makes you think that in Thailand it doesn't matter?😳

In the UK if you are slightly over the limit you can get just a warning, and they will take you to a cop shop if a lot over to use the big machine and there is an allowance for accuracy of the Machine.  

[cowellandrew]

5 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I heard the limit was 0 (no alchohol)

Guess not

Oh dear!

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

In the UK if you are slightly over the limit you can get just a warning, and they will take you to a cop shop if a lot over to use the big machine and there is an allowance for accuracy of the Machine.  

 

In the UK, if you are 'slightly' over that reading is not the 'official reading' as I understand it. 

You are arrested on the spot and taken back to the station for an 'official reading' - it is that reading from which the official decision is taken.

 

For someone who blew 0.059% BAC and so close to the limit of 0.05% BAC, its quite possible that by the time he reached a police station he would be blowing below the legal limit and let off with a caution. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

18 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

In the UK if you are slightly over the limit you can get just a warning, and they will take you to a cop shop if a lot over to use the big machine and there is an allowance for accuracy of the Machine.  

Sorry but are you sure on that, the UK police have strict policies on testing and the machines are calibrated to ensure the results pass legal requirements in court.

 

“The  road side breath test is a screening test that is carried out in order to provide an indication as to whether the proportion of alcohol in a persons system is likely to exceed the maximum prescribed legal limit. If a person fails the preliminary road side breath test, they will be arrested and taken to the police station in order to provide an evidential specimen.

 

The evidential breath testing machine at the police station is much more accurate and it may be possible, in certain circumstances, that readings from an evidential breath testing machine may prove that the alcohol in a persons system does not exceed the maximum prescribed legal limit, despite the fact a preliminary road side breath test indicated that this may not be the case. This is especially true if the time between providing a preliminary breath test and an evidential specimen is considerable or the accused was only fractionally over the limit at the time of the road side breath test.

 

In scenarios like this where a person provides an evidential breath specimen that proves the alcohol in their system does not exceed the maximum prescribed legal limit, despite failing a road side breath test, no charges will usually be brought against them.”

 

https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/alcohol-drug-driving/

Edit - posted at the same time as @richard_smith237

Edited May 2 by Georgealbert
Amended to show posted at the same time as comment above, giving similar response

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

In the UK, if you are 'slightly' over that reading is not the 'official reading' as I understand it. 

You are arrested on the spot and taken back to the station for an 'official reading' - it is that reading from which the official decision is taken.

 

For someone who blew 0.059% BAC and so close to the limit of 0.05% BAC, its quite possible that by the time he reached a police station he would be blowing below the legal limit and let off with a caution. 

 

 

 

 

 

Well that was my point really, I have seen the UK cops on YouTube and they know he will be below the limit by the time he is processed, so they issue an official verbal warning. 

[richard_smith237]

16 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

Please read and try to understand what I wrote.

I did not write that DUI did not matter in Thailand.

I wrote that just about every other dangerous and reckless driving does not seem to matter in Thailand.

My home country would of course act in cases of DUI, but would also act in cases of other traffic laws violations....

 

Valid point - I think all DUI needs to be dealt with consistently as do all violations of traffic law and regulations. 

 

I'm not justifying drink driving at all, 0.059% BAC is approximate to 4x 330cc beers over an hour or so - clearly drink driving and as the test was taken back at the station (as per the photo) its likely that his BAC was infact higher at the time of driving.

 

Equally so, I wonder how many of the same policemen witnessed people going through red traffic lights and riding without helmets etc.

 

I'm glad the BiB are catching people for DUI... now they also need to deal with all drivers, many of whom may be connected in some manner and get away with it on the spot. 

Then there are the BiB themselves - pretty much every Policeman I know drink drives with complete disregard for their own or anyone else safety - they are above the law, or rather, they 'get a pass' from their colleagues.

[freeworld]

From what I read

Violating drunk driving laws can result in fines and other penalties. As per Thailand’s law, operating a motor vehicle is prohibited for individuals with a blood-alcohol content exceeding 0.05% or 50 mg/100 ml. For drivers under 20 years old or holding a temporary driver’s license, the threshold is set at 0.020% or 20 mg/100 ml.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

In the UK, if you are 'slightly' over that reading is not the 'official reading' as I understand it. 

You are arrested on the spot and taken back to the station for an 'official reading' - it is that reading from which the official decision is taken.

 

For someone who blew 0.059% BAC and so close to the limit of 0.05% BAC, its quite possible that by the time he reached a police station he would be blowing below the legal limit and let off with a caution. 

 

 

 

 

 

Expand  

Well that was my point really, I have seen the UK cops on YouTube and they know he will be below the limit by the time he is processed, so they issue an official verbal warning. 

 

Yup... In this case it appears that the test was taken at the station, so it would have been with a 'better machine' hopefully. 

Also, the readings will be lower than at the time he was actually riding and stopped.

 

 

 

I had a mate in the UK who was over the limit the morning after a night out. 

He blew over and it was close. 

They took him back to the station and tested him again, he was still 'slightly' over the limit so he was charged. 

The processed him and tested him again (a couple of hours had passed in that time), he was then under the limit and was told he was free to continue on his way (driving).

Edited May 2 by richard_smith237

[newbee2022]

19 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

In the UK if you are slightly over the limit you can get just a warning, and they will take you to a cop shop if a lot over to use the big machine and there is an allowance for accuracy of the Machine.  

In the UK 🤣🤣🤣. Yeah🙏

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Yup... In this case it appears that the test was taken at the station, so it would have been with a 'better machine' hopefully. 

Also, the readings will be lower than at the time he was actually riding and stopped.

Also if you have just drunk alcohol your test will be higher.

[Bobthegimp]

On 5/2/2024 at 8:43 AM, newbee2022 said:

It's not about low levels of alc and not about other people. It's just to point out that you should not drive under influence of alc. I'm very sure in your home country they wouldn't smile if you caused an accident, by saying you got only low level of alc? 

What makes you think that in Thailand it doesn't matter?😳

 

Caused what accident? 

 

Wake up old man, you're sleeping. 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Bobthegimp said:

 

Caused what accident? 

 

Wake up old man, you're sleeping. 

Are you drunk??? Why you sent me such nonsense? Wasn't meant for me I suppose??!😳

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 5/2/2024 at 11:39 AM, Mises said:

The UK limit for driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

 

The limit here in Thailand is 50 milligrams per 100millilitres  of blood, 59 would be ok in the UK and he was certainly not drunk, maybe he just did not want to pay the on-the-spot fine.

 

Scotland is the same limit as Thailand 0.05%

 

Thailand: Zero for professional or commercial drivers, 0.05% for other drivers, except for 2 years licence holder or who has no a driving licence are limited at 0.02%.

 

I am assuming that means if you don't have a licence then the limit is 0.02%

Edited May 4 by Mr Meeseeks