Caught Drink Driving In Thailand And Put In Prison

[Todd1985]

Hi I got done on the 30 th of December 2012, blew .200, yes I know very high but I had just sculled a beef 2 minutes before hand every body knows you have to wait 20 mins to allow for the alchol in your mouth to go but the police officer did not not care, I got put in the lock up and a friend of mine who is highly connected come down with a police friend bailed me out 30000 baht and they kept my passport. I was told I had to court on Monday the first because the court wasn't open until then so I carried on as usaul and went to court with the police man, head said you will just pay fine and go I thought sweet, once it was my turn to be sentenced the judge layed down my punishment in Thai and I could see in the police mans face it was no good, 32 days in pattaya special prison, I don't need to explain how bad it is in fact I'm sick of explaining it to my friends. I went there stayed in the worst conditions known to man, after 2 days tgs police man and a good mate bailed me out 50000 baht I was happy and very smelly lol. I asked the policeman can I go home nor because I was ment to go to work on the night I went to prison, he said no you have to wait until your prison sentence is up, I thought this is getting nasty I work oil and gas and they won't like this, anyway let them know they said its out of your control, after the prison sentence we went to the provincial court with the police man and he talked to clerks and the judge said no you can't go home for maybe 6 or so months, I was like what the, finally after doing some business with high up people he agreed to let me go home for a month he gave me letter saying I have to return on 15 of march to go to court to check in on the 18, he gave me another letter saying I can go home for 6 months this time, when I went through customs I showed the letter and asked them am I black listed he said yes but you can come in with this letter, I asked when will it stop he said when judge takes it of. I have heard once your on that lists its for ever is this true or is it just a temp thing wondering if I'm on a good behaviour bond because at the start he didn't want me to leave. I'm also worried when this is all finished I will be deported and black listed nobody I knows has heard of such harsh punishment for a DUI not involving a accident. Any help would be appreciated.

[rixalex]

Now i know why Thai people avoid eating beef.

[Swiss1960]

People who drive around drunk are potential killers, they take into account causing a deadly accident, because their reactions are slower and they are not anymore in full control of their vehicle.

I highly support any law that puts such people in jail for some time - accident or no accident - so that they might get a learning experience not to do it another time.

I really dislike when people with money and "connections" can be bailed out and thus will do it over and over again, because they start to feel untouchable.

[ggold]

Wow, all that over a DUI, you should have offered the judge 100.000 baht. After all you shelled out 80.000 for 2 bail bonds. Maybe don't drink and drive even? But better yet who are you kidding?

Troll

[rene123]

Now i know why Thai people avoid eating beef.

I knew that buffalo was strong, but not that strong.

Every day there are drunks that kill people on the roads and highways. Let this be a lesson to those that pay no attention to the laws of the country.

[giddyup]

rene123, on 22 Mar 2013 - 11:25, said:

rixalex, on 22 Mar 2013 - 11:19, said:

Now i know why Thai people avoid eating beef.

I knew that buffalo was strong, but not that strong.

Every day there are drunks that kill people on the roads and highways. Let this be a lesson to those that pay no attention to the laws of the country.

Not to mention all the sober reckless drivers that kill people on the road.

[samran]

Thank for sharing. Hopefully it acts as a warning to others.

Sadly, I don't think it will.

[Pomthai]

I wonder how the responders would take it if the shoe was on the other foot, you bunch of self righteous gits. Yeah yeah we all know DUI is bad. Give the guy a break and help answer his question instead of reading him the riot act. If ya all want blood goto Saudi Arabia where you can get a front row seat for a multitude of punishments.

[Swiss1960]

I wonder how the responders would take it if the shoe was on the other foot, you bunch of self righteous gits. Yeah yeah we all know DUI is bad. Give the guy a break and help answer his question instead of reading him the riot act. If ya all want blood goto Saudi Arabia where you can get a front row seat for a multitude of punishments.

I wonder how you would think about the OP, if you had attended funerals of friends and family members who were killed by drunken idiots in cars??? I am unfortunate to have had to attend such funerals twice...

[meatballs]

Could you use some punctuation next time? You know, so we can read it?

[Pomthai]

I wonder how the responders would take it if the shoe was on the other foot, you bunch of self righteous gits. Yeah yeah we all know DUI is bad. Give the guy a break and help answer his question instead of reading him the riot act. If ya all want blood goto Saudi Arabia where you can get a front row seat for a multitude of punishments.

I wonder how you would think about the OP, if you had attended funerals of friends and family members who were killed by drunken idiots in cars??? I am unfortunate to have had to attend such funerals twice...

I wouldn't condone and don't think much of the OP's actions. However I don't see fit to rub salt in the wound either. Not everyone is blessed with the foresight and gumption you clearly have in order to never ever make a mistake in life.

My gripe is the general bandwagon of the majority of responders and the hang em high brigade.

Does the OP deserve a response to his question or not?

[Johnniey]

You're highly connected friend knows a policeman? He is either not a friend or not highly connected if he can't get you off a dui.

It would be easy to kill someone ATTEMPTING to drive at that level of intoxication. You deserve to do some hard time.

If you are an alcoholic, which is highly likely, this might change your life for the better by showing that your drinking/life is unmanageable.

Good luck.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Johnniey

[puukao]

I think the OP isn't showing any remorse for putting his life, as well as others (kids in other cars, kids on motorbikes, people on motorbikes, cars, bicycles, pedestrians) at risk. many, many people kill and ruin families because they are drunk and driving. Did you not get the 1,000,000,000 memos that drinking and driving is risking ending the precious life of others? you only seem to care about your blacklist, sentence, and whatever....

I do think it is fitting to rub salt in the wound. Your friends might only care about what prison was like.....or if you will lose your job, etc......and very few will ask, "I wonder if you almost killed a family driving that night because you were so drunk?"

seems like you have a drinking problem.......please get help. and think of the other human beings whose lives (and their families) could be ruined by your actions....

[samran]

I wonder how the responders would take it if the shoe was on the other foot, you bunch of self righteous gits. Yeah yeah we all know DUI is bad. Give the guy a break and help answer his question instead of reading him the riot act. If ya all want blood goto Saudi Arabia where you can get a front row seat for a multitude of punishments.

I wonder how you would think about the OP, if you had attended funerals of friends and family members who were killed by drunken idiots in cars??? I am unfortunate to have had to attend such funerals twice...

I wouldn't condone and don't think much of the OP's actions. However I don't see fit to rub salt in the wound either. Not everyone is blessed with the foresight and gumption you clearly have in order to never ever make a mistake in life.

My gripe is the general bandwagon of the majority of responders and the hang em high brigade.

Does the OP deserve a response to his question or not?

To be honest, while I'm with you rubbing salt into the wound, avoiding a blacklisting and deportation isn't something most mere mortals can help with.

Edited March 22, 2013 by samran

[Scottythai]

If your drunk and drive or even intoxicated you desirve it.

[yogi100]

I don't think you will get much help on here or any other forum because most folk have never heard of such a harsh sentence being imposed for DUI so have no experience they can refer to. You'll always get goody goody two shoes types who've never broken a law in their life and get their kicks from rubbing salt into a wound.

It would appear they've decided to make an example of you but a reputable lawyer would be of more service than the armchair critics of TV. Hope it works out for you.

[NewlyMintedThai]

I think he was still drunk when he posted his account.

[robblok]

My advice go to one of the more expensive and reliable law firms they will be able to help you more then on this forum. Just remember if you have assets here its better to know what is going to happen instead of getting cut off.

[Swiss1960]

I wonder how the responders would take it if the shoe was on the other foot, you bunch of self righteous gits. Yeah yeah we all know DUI is bad. Give the guy a break and help answer his question instead of reading him the riot act. If ya all want blood goto Saudi Arabia where you can get a front row seat for a multitude of punishments.

I wonder how you would think about the OP, if you had attended funerals of friends and family members who were killed by drunken idiots in cars??? I am unfortunate to have had to attend such funerals twice...

I wouldn't condone and don't think much of the OP's actions. However I don't see fit to rub salt in the wound either. Not everyone is blessed with the foresight and gumption you clearly have in order to never ever make a mistake in life.

My gripe is the general bandwagon of the majority of responders and the hang em high brigade.

Does the OP deserve a response to his question or not?

First, I have many many mistakes in my life, but I was never selfish and stupid enough to endanger other people's life for my own enjoyment - i.e. driving around drunk.

Second, as others said, the OP does not care about possible results of his action and thus deserves some bashing, might make him think about what he did.

Third, I am in no position to give him any advice as I have no high connected friends. But since he and his "friends" are already messing around and throwing money around, be better take a lawyer and await the outcome and take what he gets and stop having self-pity.

[chuang]

All said..now just wait for the next carnage, come Songkran...those drunken drivers...

[Pomthai]

All said..now just wait for the next carnage, come Songkran...those drunken drivers...

Yep, there will be a line of perfectly behaved TV posters waiting to see all law breakers shot on sight.

I can see it now. Hmm "Breath into this please"................... sorry machine says your over the limit, please join the others over there waiting to be shot.

/sarcasm - for those that aren't sure.

We've been invaded by geriatric politically correct daily mail readers.. run for the hills or drive as long as your sober of course.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Pomthai

[angsta]

On a side note, I read that Lindsay Lohan has dropped Thailand from her vacation plans.

I don't find making jokes at the expense of sick people the slightest bit funny.

Time of the month is it Johnniey?

Man, you really paid all that cash for drink driving in Thailand? Wow, that sucks. of course you shouldn't drink and drive, of course. But really it should be like 15,000 maximum. Everyone here is on there moral high horse, of course they are. Jail time as well. The judge clearly hadn't been bribed enough that week. Gutted.

[Berkshire]

It would appear they've decided to make an example of you...

If that be the case.....what's the problem? More upside than downside if you ask me.

[NewlyMintedThai]

On a side note, I read that Lindsay Lohan has dropped Thailand from her vacation plans.

I don't find making jokes at the expense of sick people the slightest bit funny.

Time of the month is it Johnniey?

Man, you really paid all that cash for drink driving in Thailand? Wow, that sucks. of course you shouldn't drink and drive, of course. But really it should be like 15,000 maximum. Everyone here is on there moral high horse, of course they are. Jail time as well. The judge clearly hadn't been bribed enough that week. Gutted.

On the contrary, I think he got made an example of because he tried to use some "highly-connected person" to get him off the hook. Serves him right, eh?

[GarryP]

A friend got caught in Lardprao driving under the influnce on a Saturday. He hit 260 whatever that means. It was his second offence, bail cost 20,000 Baht, and on Monday in Court he was fined 5,000 and ordered to do 30 or 35 hours community service. Told if he gets caught again it will mean time in jail.

[Neeranam]

Seems very harsh. Todd, is this your first offense?

I wouldn't worry about getting blacklisted. Usually, it's community service and small fine. I think "they" are just trying to scare you.

Was it a car or a motorbike or what? I was arrested once drunk riding a bicycle which I thought ridiculous.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Neeranam

[laurentbkk]

the only answer I will say is : DONT DRINK AND DRIVE (or pay the consequences) .... nothing need to be added .... I just hope this kind of treatment is also done for Thai people that's it .

[Para]

I've been through the court/prison system here so I know what I am talking about and it doesn't add up sorry. I'll save the comments on what you were nicked for there will be enough hand-wringers loving hitting you with this.

You were nicked on Sunday 30th but paid bail to come out BEFORE going to court. Your court date was the Monday where you copped 32 days in nick. While in nick you were bailed again?

No way.

Only the court can decide if you are to get bail as soon as you are sentence thats it the bail comes back and you go inside. There is no way a convicted person who has been sentenced by the court to a jail term would then grant you bail!

The high up letter was simply a 'permission to travel' document issued by the court defining a set time you can be out for before having to return.

A criminal case takes around a year from arrest to actually be heard at court. The 'Pattaya special prison' is nothing more than a remand prison and if you think thats bad you wanna try a few months in Klong Prem.

Mate I am sorry to say the fact they are holding your passport and issued you with a permission to travel means your case hasn't been heard yet. When you come back then you will have to face the court.

As for deport/black list if you are sentenced to time in prison even for only 1 day then you *should* be automatically blacklisted but most often they don't. If you are only fined then there is no deport.

If you want to PM me I will try and help because either you aint telling the whole story or more worryingly you have not been told yourself. You do also know that regardless of what the judge sentences you to the police can appeal the decision. Currently appeals are taking 3 years to be heard and if you get found guilty then you will have very little chance of getting another 'permission to travel' till your appeal court decides. Even being found not guilty at the criminal court if the police appeal you can still be forced to stay in Thailand for up to 3 years.

[bendywire]

The OP should ask himself what would have happened in his home country and then ask himself why we should give a toss about his problem. You should never drink and drive no matter where you are in the world, maybe you should just suck it up and get on with your life knowing nobody got hurt THIS TIME.

[Neeranam]

GarryP, on 22 Mar 2013 - 12:48, said:

A friend got caught in Lardprao driving under the influnce on a Saturday. He hit 260 whatever that means. It was his second offence, bail cost 20,000 Baht, and on Monday in Court he was fined 5,000 and ordered to do 30 or 35 hours community service. Told if he gets caught again it will mean time in jail.

I know a guy who was done recently driving a car drunk and stoned. He was caught with a small amount of ganja too - second offense. 20,000 baht and community service which he knows how to avoid.

I know quite a few who got 'let off' with a lot worse than this.

It's always wise to carry a decent amount of cash around with you at all times. The secret is not to let it go to court, if you know what I mean.