Bus driver charged with drunk driving after dropping tourists off at Phuket Airport
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police arrested a drunk bus driver returning from dropping tourists off at the Phuket Airport last night after he clipped a truck near the airport and was chased down by the upset victim to the Thalang Museum.

Sirisak Suksai, 48, was driving his pickup on Thepkrasattri Road near the airport last night when his vehicle was clipped by a tourist bus with the owner’s name – Charoenporn Kaewbuppha – on its side, said Thalang traffic policeman Suthee Maneesing.

“The bus broke the right rearview mirror of his pickup truck,” said Sen Sgt Maj Suthee.

“Mr Sirisak chased the bus until he reached the Thalang Museum near the Two Heroines Monument in Thalang. The bus stopped, so he got out to talk to the bus driver,” he said.

Sen Sgt Maj Suthee received the report at 7:30pm and went to the scene.

“When I arrived, I talked to the bus driver, Ayan Noppawong Na Ayutthaya, 55. He told me he had just finished taking tourists to the airport. He could not give any more information and talked in a confused way.

“I could smell alcohol on him. I asked to see his driver’s license but he did not have it with him,” Sen Sgt Maj Suthee said.

Mr Ayan was then taken to Thalang Police Station and given an alcohol test.

“He registered .26 per cent, which is above the legal limit of .05 per cent. He was charged with drunk driving and driving with no license,” he said.

Mr Ayan faces drunk driving penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht and a six month suspension of his driver’s license, Sen Sgt Maj Suthee said.

“The judge may also use his discretion to assign additional penalties, such as community service,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Bus-driver-charged-with-drunk-driving-after-dropping-tourists-off-at-Phuket-Airport-20497.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-03-14

Driving a bus full of passengers with a blood alcohol level of .26 !

They should heavily fine the owner of the bus company.

Edited March 14, 201313 yr by up-country_sinclair

The bus driver should be banned for life from driving a bus or alike.

Mr Ayan faces drunk driving penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht and a six month suspension of his driver’s license, Sen Sgt Maj Suthee said.

That gonne be a hard one on someone who hasn't a driving license in the first place.

Edited March 14, 201313 yr by jbrain

How do you know he didn't have a driving license? For all you know he might have paid good money for one.

Mr Ayan faces drunk driving penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht and a six month suspension of his driver’s license, Sen Sgt Maj Suthee said.

“The judge may also use his discretion to assign additional penalties, such as community service,” he added.

So much less hassle to actually kill someone.

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Edited March 14, 201313 yr by NamKangMan

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Aren't you the one who always is asking for more busdrivers on the road?

How do you know he didn't have a driving license? For all you know he might have paid good money for one.

From the OP.

“He registered .26 per cent, which is above the legal limit of .05 per cent. He was charged with drunk driving and driving with no license,” he said.

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Aren't you the one who always is asking for more busdrivers on the road?

No.

Metered taxis along the coast would be standard for any "world class tourist destination." I'd happily settle for a baht bus system like Pattaya.

In any case, regardless of the type of vehicle, the driver should be at least sober. 0.26 blood alcohol content is very drunk. When I first read the headline, I expected he was a minibus (minivan) driver - was pretty shocked to see it was a full sized coach bus. How many could he have killed????

Such is the unprofessionalism of all transport drivers on this island, collusion pricing aside.

Proven once again, the biggest risk to your health and safety on Phuket is on the roads, and I would suggest, that risk is greater here than in any other area of Thailand.

How do you know he didn't have a driving license? For all you know he might have paid good money for one.

From the OP.

>“He registered .26 per cent, which is above the legal limit of .05 per cent. He was charged with drunk driving and driving with no license,” he said.

Doesn't mean he doesn't have one, just that he didn't have it with him.

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Aren't you the one who always is asking for more busdrivers on the road?

No.

Metered taxis along the coast would be standard for any "world class tourist destination." I'd happily settle for a baht bus system like Pattaya.

In any case, regardless of the type of vehicle, the driver should be at least sober. 0.26 blood alcohol content is very drunk. When I first read the headline, I expected he was a minibus (minivan) driver - was pretty shocked to see it was a full sized coach bus. How many could he have killed????

Such is the unprofessionalism of all transport drivers on this island, collusion pricing aside.

Proven once again, the biggest risk to your health and safety on Phuket is on the roads, and I would suggest, that risk is greater here than in any other area of Thailand.

I see a contradiction there, you say NO, you don't want more busdrivers on the road, but do want a Bahtbus.

Agree with you though, a drunk busdriver could not and should not happen. Unfortunately it does, and I think it has nothing to do with the island, I expect an idiot driving drunk anywhere in the country.

How do you know he didn't have a driving license? For all you know he might have paid good money for one.

From the OP.

>“He registered .26 per cent, which is above the legal limit of .05 per cent. He was charged with drunk driving and driving with no license,” he

said.

Doesn't mean he doesn't have one, just that he didn't have it with him.

True, he could have one, but if he didn't have it on him while he was driving the charge of driving with no license still stands.

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Aren't you the one who always is asking for more busdrivers on the road?

No.

Metered taxis along the coast would be standard for any "world class tourist destination." I'd happily settle for a baht bus system like Pattaya.

In any case, regardless of the type of vehicle, the driver should be at least sober. 0.26 blood alcohol content is very drunk. When I first read the headline, I expected he was a minibus (minivan) driver - was pretty shocked to see it was a full sized coach bus. How many could he have killed????

Such is the unprofessionalism of all transport drivers on this island, collusion pricing aside.

Proven once again, the biggest risk to your health and safety on Phuket is on the roads, and I would suggest, that risk is greater here than in any other area of Thailand.

I see a contradiction there, you say NO, you don't want more busdrivers on the road, but do want a Bahtbus.

Agree with you though, a drunk busdriver could not and should not happen. Unfortunately it does, and I think it has nothing to do with the island, I expect an idiot driving drunk anywhere in the country.

I think you are assuming any baht bus system "adds" extra vehicles, and therefore drivers, onto the roads of Phuket. I'm suggesting they replace what they have now, with a better system, quite possibly, a baht bus system, like Pattaya has.

For example, currently, we have tuk-tuks parked all day and then just ripping off one tourist, for a short journey, for a days wages of 200, 300 or 400 baht.

I would have them drive around like baht buses for 20 baht hop-on / hop-off. Still double the price of Pattaya, but everyone should be happy, including the "influential people" that still get their cut.

I haven't made more "buses" or "drivers" on the roads, I have just used the existing ones in a way that is better for tourism and probably would save lives. Certainly, it would reduce the need for tourist, expats and locals to hire motor scooters/cars and ride/drive drunk.

Of course, I would expect the driver of any public passenger vehicle to remain sober.

So, no need for extra buses or other forms of transport. Just use what we have differently, or replace them, not add them to what we already have which is a broken system.

They catch one driver, out of how many here doing the same thing????????

This single arrest is just for "show."

Aren't you the one who always is asking for more busdrivers on the road?

No.

Metered taxis along the coast would be standard for any "world class tourist destination." I'd happily settle for a baht bus system like Pattaya.

In any case, regardless of the type of vehicle, the driver should be at least sober. 0.26 blood alcohol content is very drunk. When I first read the headline, I expected he was a minibus (minivan) driver - was pretty shocked to see it was a full sized coach bus. How many could he have killed????

Such is the unprofessionalism of all transport drivers on this island, collusion pricing aside.

Proven once again, the biggest risk to your health and safety on Phuket is on the roads, and I would suggest, that risk is greater here than in any other area of Thailand.

I see a contradiction there, you say NO, you don't want more busdrivers on the road, but do want a Bahtbus.

Agree with you though, a drunk busdriver could not and should not happen. Unfortunately it does, and I think it has nothing to do with the island, I expect an idiot driving drunk anywhere in the country.

I think you are assuming any baht bus system "adds" extra vehicles, and therefore drivers, onto the roads of Phuket. I'm suggesting they replace what they have now, with a better system, quite possibly, a baht bus system, like Pattaya has.

For example, currently, we have tuk-tuks parked all day and then just ripping off one tourist, for a short journey, for a days wages of 200, 300 or 400 baht.

I would have them drive around like baht buses for 20 baht hop-on / hop-off. Still double the price of Pattaya, but everyone should be happy, including the "influential people" that still get their cut.

I haven't made more "buses" or "drivers" on the roads, I have just used the existing ones in a way that is better for tourism and probably would save lives. Certainly, it would reduce the need for tourist, expats and locals to hire motor scooters/cars and ride/drive drunk.

Of course, I would expect the driver of any public passenger vehicle to remain sober.

So, no need for extra buses or other forms of transport. Just use what we have differently, or replace them, not add them to what we already have which is a broken system.

Of courzse you make more buses that way. Less tuktuks, far less, but more buses.

Silly bugger.

He forgot, when you run away, you don't take the vehicle with you.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

Edited March 14, 201313 yr by NamKangMan

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

Sounds like a plan.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

You're right, I overlooked your explanation at the end of post #13.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

You're right, I overlooked your explanation at the end of post #13.

Of course it's all just wishful thinking, but how good would it be for the island?

Less traffic, less accidents - death and injury, less noise, less pollution, more freedom of movement, a better spread of the tourist wealth around the island, less opporttunity for criminals to target drunk pedestrians, the corrupt would ake more money, tourist/expats/locals would save money etc etc.

A win-win for everyone, instead, what we have now is a lose-lose for common sense.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

You're right, I overlooked your explanation at the end of post #13.

Of course it's all just wishful thinking, but how good would it be for the island?

Less traffic, less accidents - death and injury, less noise, less pollution, more freedom of movement, a better spread of the tourist wealth around the island, less opporttunity for criminals to target drunk pedestrians, the corrupt would ake more money, tourist/expats/locals would save money etc etc.

A win-win for everyone, instead, what we have now is a lose-lose for common sense.

I agree it would be good for the island, but disagree with your continues posting here about it, very tiring and boring. But that is my opinion, others may disagree.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

You're right, I overlooked your explanation at the end of post #13.

Of course it's all just wishful thinking, but how good would it be for the island?

Less traffic, less accidents - death and injury, less noise, less pollution, more freedom of movement, a better spread of the tourist wealth around the island, less opporttunity for criminals to target drunk pedestrians, the corrupt would ake more money, tourist/expats/locals would save money etc etc.

A win-win for everyone, instead, what we have now is a lose-lose for common sense.

I agree it would be good for the island, but disagree with your continues posting here about it, very tiring and boring. But that is my opinion, others may disagree.

Ok, so let's post about all of the positive things happening on Phuket.

Can you name one positive thing that has been done for tourist, and tourism, here in recent times???? :) :)

You're right, I overlooked your explanation at the end of post #13.

@ stevenl

So, a tuk-tuk, as we know them on Phuket, drives around as a hop-on/hop-off service, for a flat fee of 20 baht a ride, and is now renamed a "baht bus" - how does that put extra buses on the roads here????

It's the same vehicle and the same driver - just offering a better service, and probably a more profitable service.

Of course it's all just wishful thinking, but how good would it be for the island?

Less traffic, less accidents - death and injury, less noise, less pollution, more freedom of movement, a better spread of the tourist wealth around the island, less opporttunity for criminals to target drunk pedestrians, the corrupt would ake more money, tourist/expats/locals would save money etc etc.

A win-win for everyone, instead, what we have now is a lose-lose for common sense.

I agree it would be good for the island, but disagree with your continues posting here about it, very tiring and boring. But that is my opinion, others may disagree.

Ok, so let's post about all of the positive things happening on Phuket.

Can you name one positive thing that has been done for tourist, and tourism, here in recent times????

As I said, you're very, very tiresome. Just look around, only problem will be that with your attitude you'll never see anything positive.

s="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NamKangMan" data-cid="6206337" data-time="1363317539">

I'm a positive person. I'm a guy who views the "glass as half full, not half empty."

However, nothing positive has been done for tourists, or the tourism industry here in years. It's the same death, crime, scams and rip offs etc as the past. Standards haven't been raise, not even a little. The place isn't moving forward.

Phuket is being run BY criminals - FOR criminals.

Sad to see it deteriorate this way.

It's an observation, not an "attitude."

Edited March 15, 201313 yr by NamKangMan

Well, there went that thread...