Police expect thousands of drunken-driving offenses during Buddhist Lent

BANGKOK: -- Drinking alcohol and driving don't mix, the Department of Probation warns, and persons who mix drinking with driving will be 'rewarded' with stiff fines and additional community services.

All over Thailand during the Buddhist Lent over the three months, motorists will be stopped and tested to see whether they have been drinking alcohol, according to Department of Probation Director-General Wanchai Rujanawong.

Mr. Wanchai says that police will be forced to arrest thousands of drunken drivers during this year's Buddhist Lent.

Persons arrested for driving after drinking will be made to do assigned community services as an added punishment on top of a stiff fine.

The director-general warned motorists returning to Bangkok Tuesday--after a four-day long weekend holiday in the upcountry--to refrain from drinking alcohol, or face harsh punishment.

''Drivers who have been drinking will be fined," Mr. Wanchai cautioned.

"More than that, the probation department chief warned, ''We will make them clean temple courtyards and toilets."

Drinking offenders will be re-educated, as they will be made to listen to Buddhist teachings to improved their behaviour and do other community service work inside temples.

"Some offenders will be asked to provide care for highway accident patients and be asked to donate blood,'' Mr. Wanchai said.

More checkpoints have been set up with cooperation of various agencies to monitor alcohol level in drivers, he said.

Stricter rules and more stringent enforcement is a good investment for community well-being, Mr. Wanchaii noted.

''The more the authorities impose measures against drinking while driving," he explained, "the safer our roads will become."

According to official figures, the number of local motorists arrested for driving after drinking alcohol and assigned community services by the court have been rising from 11,000 in 2002, to 28,000 in 2003, 30,000 in 2004 and 45,000 in 2005.

The department projects that the number will further increase to 60,000 this year, according to the director-general.

--TNA 2006-07-11

This should be year round, not just for Lent.

Fines don't work. Driver's licences have to be revoked.

Unfortunately here, people can probably just go out and buy a new driver's license. The thing that doesn't help with deterrence here is that the chances of getting stopped are so slim. I mean it takes a check point (or maybe an accident). I have been behind cars where the driver is weaving all over the place and driving in a completely erratic manner and is obviously drunk. I didn't dare go around him, but a police officer on a motorbike just drove by without a second glance!

Enforcement has to mean enforcement, all the time and to everyone.

Enforcement has to mean enforcement, all the time and to everyone.

agree,

thai is going to be a lot better place to stay if all the Thai’s law enforcement doing their job as they meant to do.

beside that, thai need no alcohol to drive a car dangerously.

Fines don't work. Driver's licences have to be revoked.

Hefty fines may not deter farang BUT being made to clean out public toilets or tend injured road users may have it’s effect.

During the weekly motor cycle helmet blitz (every Tuesday morning and the silly fcukers still go out without em) the errant riders are made to produce a receipt for the 200Baht fine before they can move their bikes, with helmet on. Maybe that should apply in the case of drunk drivers where the fine is paid before the car is moved with another licensed driver at the wheel.

As previously stated and IMO revoking the license may be a waste of time.

If removing licences is a waste of time then impound cars, trucks and motorcycles for long periods of time. This is a serious matter dealt with not so serious consequences.