Bangkok Police seek cab drivers helping drunks evade arrest

[webfact]

Police seek cab drivers helping drunks evade arrest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau is looking into traffic law to see how they can punish taxi drivers who are reportedly hired by drunken people to drive their cars past police checkpoints, deputy bureau chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak said.

Adul, who is in charge of Bangkok traffic, said yesterday that he had learnt that some clever people paid taxi drivers Bt300 or so to drive through police checkpoints in order to evade arrest for drunk driving. He added that police would set up more checkpoints and keep an eye on taxis loitering near checkpoints.

This move followed a report by Pol Major Mongkol Phrommet, who said some cab drivers made themselves available for Bt300 to drive club goers' cars through police checkpoints. These cabs are allegedly found parked some 100 to 200 metres from checkpoints, usually near nightclubs in Nawamin, Thong Lor and Rama IV areas.

Once people have safely been ferried past the checkpoint, the temporary chauffeur gets out, walks back to his car to wait for another drunken driver in need of aid.


-- The Nation 2014-03-19

[chooka]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

[kimbathewhitelion]

A good tip just the same...thank you Thai Police for being being the diligent awareness of our community.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[soundman]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

I agree with this.

Maybe if the police weren't so lazy they would set up random nabbing points after the main testing area. Just an idea.....

[Bluespunk]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

[NongKhaiKid]

The BIB should be more concerned about those within their own ranks who, on roadblock duty, happily levy an on the spot " fine " and allow the drunkest of drunk drivers to go on their way.

[kimamey]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

Edited March 19, 2014 by kimamey

[chooka]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

[EvilDrSomkid]

It is very tough to bribe your way out of drunk driving now. That is why this is happening.

And no, I have no personal experience with that.

[chooka]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

We have mobile booze buses that are set up in different locations. attached to them will be chase cars a couple of hundred metres prior to the location to grab people trying to turn off or change drivers, there is also often unmarked vehicles circling around the buses in back streets.

[benalibina]

Most likely the cabbies will have to pay a percentage of the 300 bth to the cops. Everybody is a winner that way !!

[x5david]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

Agree with all these comments. When the police just sit and wait for crime to come to them like is done here, you get what you get. If they actually patrolled the streets like police should do, then they might catch these types. Of course all the TV crew will yell Nanny State, but do we really want these drunks alluding detection?

[Bluespunk]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

Yes, but if the taxi drivers are helping someone evade a breath/sobriety test, which would prove the driver was drunk and driving, isn't that a crime. The test proves that an offence has taken place, if the taxi driver helps the driver evade this, shouldn't that be seen as a criminal act in itself.

Clearly you do know more about how the law is applied in drunk driving than myself, but it does seem that the taxi drivers are covering up a crime.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Bluespunk

[thesetat2013]

A good tip just the same...thank you Thai Police for being being the diligent awareness of our community.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Really!:-) and all these months i have been paying hundreds if baht just to get to Nana or Soi cowboy to get drunk and get my freak on and hundreds more to get home. If only i had known about this before i could have saved thousands of baht. TY for the info. Will try it tonight

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[moe666]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

Used regularly in the US country wide to nab drunks and other law breakers. Check point set up after 11pm on roads or streets that are known for there entertainment establishments. These check points have been determined to be very effective form of law enforcement

Edited March 19, 2014 by moe666

[moe666]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

In the states people have been charged with DUI just setting in the drivers position with the key in the ignition, no driving involved

[chooka]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

Yes, but if the taxi drivers are helping someone evade a breath/sobriety test, which would prove the driver was drunk and driving, isn't that a crime. The test proves that an offence has taken place, if the taxi driver helps the driver evade this, shouldn't that be seen as a criminal act in itself.

Clearly you do know more about how the law is applied in drunk driving than myself, but it does seem that the taxi drivers are covering up a crime.

I know exactly where you are coming from and agree with you

[kriswillems]

The difference is that normally the police gets a bribe while now the taxi gets a bribe.

I can understand why the police is upset.

[lee b]

Heres one, how about Bangkok police seek drunks to help catch cheating, abusive lying Bangkok Taxi drivers. Just a thought.

[kamahele]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

Yes, but if the taxi drivers are helping someone evade a breath/sobriety test, which would prove the driver was drunk and driving, isn't that a crime. The test proves that an offence has taken place, if the taxi driver helps the driver evade this, shouldn't that be seen as a criminal act in itself.

Clearly you do know more about how the law is applied in drunk driving than myself, but it does seem that the taxi drivers are covering up a crime.

I would think the taxi driver could be charged perhaps with facilitating a crime or in the crime (before the fact) if the laws are similar to the west.

[Bluespunk]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

In the states people have been charged with DUI just setting in the drivers position with the key in the ignition, no driving involved

Good.

[Bkungbank]

Tips for 300 but get fine for 500 still losing 200?

[Joe Mamma]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Not until they get behind that wheel again!

[smedly]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

it's an interesting one and unless there is a specific undercover lengthy operation to gather evidence it would still be a tough one to present in a western court never mind Thailand

I think the best they could hope for would be to nab the driver once he has circumvented the checkpoint using chase cars and observers

[JamesDean3]

If they really want to catch drunk drivers, why dont they wait for them outside pubs. Oh yeah, the pubs are owned by the police themselves..ooops ...

[seabass69]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

Used regularly in the US country wide to nab drunks and other law breakers. Check point set up after 11pm on roads or streets that are known for there entertainment establishments. These check points have been determined to be very effective form of law enforcement

They have also been determined to be illegal.

[Dogmatix]

Maybe they could see how it's done in other countries. Pull them over whilst they're driving, wait in unmarked cars outside clubs.

I don't know about most countries but you only see checkpoints in the UK for large trucks so they can get them off the road but they can still be pulled over anywhere if needed.

I have noticed in my area a policeman stood a few 100 metres before bike checkpoints to catch those who u turn.

Didn't someone go on an expensive trip to South Korea and say they wanted to copy them. How do they deal with this

I don't think the UK police are allowed to breathalyse drivers at random checkpoints anyway. ASFAIK they need to see evidence of erratic driving to pull someone over and test them. Thai police would never dare do this. They need to have at least 20-30 cops at a checkpoint. But it's all about making money from their perspective anyway. Drunks who pay are politely escorted back to their vehicles and told to drive safely. I know people who have personally experience this.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Dogmatix

[jayjayjayjay]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

I agree with this.

Maybe if the police weren't so lazy they would set up random nabbing points after the main testing area. Just an idea.....

So the taxis could make 300 baht in another location!

[wolf5370]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

Isn't it illegal to help someone break the law? By helping drivers evade checkpoints, don't they aid them in their drunk driving?

But are they breaking the law? I know in Australia the offence of drink driving is not committed until the actual evidentiary breathe test/blood test has been completed and the person is deemed to be in excess of the prescribed limit. The charge then shows the date and time of test and not the time of driving. (Test must be conducted within 4 hours of driving) We don't even have a power of arrest and persons do not have to submit to a test. Can be charged with refuse if they don't but can't be forced.

Have had quite a few stop and change drivers when approaching a booze bus site but nothing we could charge the new driver with. Still breath test and charge the original driver tho.

Thailand may be completely different and I have never been stopped for a breath test in Thailand.

If this is the case in Australia, I would suggest it is the exception rather than the norm. Certainly in the UK committing the offence is doing the act, not being caught for it. AFAIK drink driving is illegal here in that it is illegal for a driver to driver after imbibing more than the allowed driving blood alcohol level - not when they are proved to have done such (of course to criminally charge them evidence would be required such as a blood or accurate breath (not the portable ones the cops carry everywhere - but lab level machines at police station such as in the UK) test). Aiding and abetting another to commit a crime is a crime - probably intentionally evading police check points in order to avoid prosecution is also illegal - or at least grounds for arrest. Both the driver and the cab driver could be liable for extra charges, not less - and the taxi also has his taxi license to worry about. However this is not hard to make this a mute point - random stop and checks - police in unmarked car/bikes stopping drunks - police at pubs/clubs/etc at close - photographing people at check points looking for people continually going through (build up a database of said taxis - can even use the taxi license database as they already have photos) - following vehicles suspected of being driver by taxi driver on bike to see just how far they are willing to walk back to their taxi afterwards (and nabbing the drunk as they take the wheel back) - and so on.

[Stan7444]

Can't really see any offence being committed. Irresponsible but not illegal.

I agree with this.

Maybe if the police weren't so lazy they would set up random nabbing points after the main testing area. Just an idea.....

It is NOT about the legality or illegality, it is all about the cabbies competing with the cops and taking money out of their pockets for threats on arresting those they stop, who might not be dunk at all, but the cops still take them for all the cash they can.