Suspected Drunk Drivers in Thailand to Face New Testing Methods

[webfact]

File photo

 

Thailand has introduced new regulations allowing police to use urine or blood tests to determine the alcohol levels of drivers suspected of being drunk if they refuse to take a breathalyser test. This announcement, published in the Royal Gazette, updates previous regulations from 1994 and 2017, which relied mainly on breathalyser tests.

 

The revised laws aim to modernise alcohol testing procedures and enhance the effectiveness of legal measures to combat drunk driving.

 

The regulation permits police officers to either collect urine samples on-site or escort drivers to a hospital for blood tests when breathalyser tests are refused.

 

Officers are instructed to secure drivers' consent before conducting urine tests and to provide a private and secure location for the sample collection.

 

They will also maintain control over the sample collection area to prevent any tampering. The collected urine samples will be sent to nearby hospitals for laboratory testing.

For blood tests, drivers refusing breathalysers will be taken to a hospital for medical examination. According to the new regulation, drivers found with more than 50 milligrammes of alcohol in their blood—and 20 milligrammes for those under 20 years old—will be charged with drunk driving, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Additionally, the law states that drivers refusing to undergo medical examinations without a valid reason will be presumed to have exceeded the legal blood alcohol limit.

 

In such cases, the medical professional will document the refusal and notify the police to initiate further investigation.

 

Earlier this year, the government approved an amendment to Thailand's Land Transportation Act, allowing alcohol level tests up to three hours after a driver has been stopped by police.

 

Karom Polpornklang, the then-deputy spokesman for the government, noted that the amended law would expand the methods available to identify drunk drivers beyond the traditional use of breathalysers.

 

-- 2024-09-23

 

[stoner]

this would be amazing if the system it was being introduced to wasn't corrupted to the max. 

[bkk6060]

It actually is a good idea and should create less corruption as a hospital will now be in the loop.  Unless, people think hospitals can/will be corrupted.

[brianbiegler]

Lol seriously if the perp refuses to blow for you do really think he's gonna pee for you? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[stoner]

31 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

It actually is a good idea and should create less corruption as a hospital will now be in the loop.  Unless, people think hospitals can/will be corrupted.

 

maybe the same way you get medically checked for your drivers license. by a licensed MD. 

[scubascuba3]

Doesn't mention if a blood/urine test is allowed if a breathalyser is also done i.e. the person refutes the result

[thesetat2013]

54 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

It actually is a good idea and should create less corruption as a hospital will now be in the loop.  Unless, people think hospitals can/will be corrupted.

Yeah.. so now we have to worry about the corrupt hospitals too wither bribing cops to make more tests without valid reasons or by the hospital staff accepting bribes to fake the test. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has introduced new regulations allowing police to use urine or blood tests to determine the alcohol levels of drivers suspected of being drunk if they refuse to take a breathalyser test. This announcement, published in the Royal Gazette, updates previous regulations from 1994 and 2017, which relied mainly on breathalyser tests.

Excellent news...

[itsari]

57 minutes ago, brianbiegler said:

Lol seriously if the perp refuses to blow for you do really think he's gonna pee for you? 🤦🏼‍♂️

They will just take the piss out of you