Thai cops shoot out tire to stop drunk, high taxi driver

[webfact]

Cops shoot out tire to stop drunk, high taxi driver
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver, who fled a police checkpoint because he was drunk on beer and high on weed was arrested in Lat Phrao this morning after police went full cowboy and fired a round into his tire.

Taxi driver Eakkalak Ketdech, 33, sped through a police checkpoint on Soi Lat Phrao Soi 112 and injured one officer in the process after he was stopped at around 3am early this morning.

Wang Thonglang police chased after Eakkalak on their pickup truck. At one point, officers were able to cut in front of him on Ramintra Expressway, but that didn’t stop Eakkalak.

He rammed the police car and continued on his way, prompting the officers to squeeze off some rounds aimed at his tires. It worked. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/05/14/cops-shoot-out-tire-stop-drunk-high-taxi-driver


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-05-14

[Songhua]

There's the driver you want to pick you up.

[trogers]

Would his driving license be revoked? Hate to think I had boarded his taxi some time in the future...

[JOC]

With the Thai Polices shooting skills, he was extremely lucky not to get killed!!

They were probably aiming for his head, but hit the tires by a mistake.................

[WitawatWatawit]

That worries me. A Thai cop who can shoot straight. I always felt safe when a Thai cop pulls his gun by simply standing in front of him.

[jerojero]

Yee Haw! Got'em, Texas - style!

[h90]

With the Thai Polices shooting skills, he was extremely lucky not to get killed!!

They were probably aiming for his head, but hit the tires by a mistake.................

I guess not all are bad

[h90]

There's the driver you want to pick you up.

Sometimes when 5 taxis refuse to take you, you might have in fact luck.....

[Rimmer]

One troll post has been removed.

If you have nothing to say please move to another topic but do not leave troll comments in the topic for other members to see, thank you.

[Pomthai]

Looks like the shot the wheel off. Good job.

[lee b]

Good on the bib. The problem is how many other of these crazy drivers are driving around exactly the same??

[jumbo]

Good on the bib. The problem is how many other of these crazy drivers are driving around exactly the same??

random checking at checkpoints instead of just looking at the driver , and then deciding ok or not ok, would help, even for taxi's..

they make rules but never any follow up in all aspects of life, it's a shame..

[Cylon]

Pretty good shooting, they shot all the wheel nuts off.

[TP1]

They never stop to pick you up when you need them, why would he stop for the police?

Good thing they got him before he started his shift, otherwise he could have killed some other innocent people.

[Ghostnigel]

Never a dull moment when taxi drivers are concerned eh? The meter saga has died down. Now when we get in a taxi, we need to have more time to survey whether he's drunk, on drugs, or both. Then make sure he turns on the meter, doesn't overcharge, goes the right way. We need to go to college to learn all this shit....

[siam2007]

Would his driving license be revoked? Hate to think I had boarded his taxi some time in the future...

He has been fined the mandatory 500-Baht fine, and is now queuing at Suvarnabhumi to wait for vict.... ERRRMMMM..... passengers.

Before he went to Swampy, he stocked up his liquid provisions again at the "SEVEN" next corner, so he can stay awake during the 72 hrs of his standard shift.

enjoy your ride !

[webfact]

Bangkok taxi driver arrested for drunk driving



BANGKOK: -- A 33-year-old taxi driver was arrested Thursday morning after he refused to stop at a police road block for check and escaped.

In a hot-pursuit car chase, a police officer decided to blow off the tyres of the taxi with gunshots and finally apprehended him, driving under the influence of alcohol and drug.

The driver, identified as Ekalak Ketdej, was initially charged with drunk driving.

Other charges which include attempted murder and having marijuana in possession could be pressed later after he was ready to speak as he was still drunk after the arrest at 3 am today, and one police officer was injured when he rammed the car at the roadblock to escape.

Wang Thonglarng station police said a road block was set up at the middle of Soi Lardprao 112 to check passing vehicles.

As one taxi came near, they signalled the taxi driver to stop but he refused and sped off hitting a police officer.

He was chased till Town in Town housing estate and refused order to stop. His car hit the pavement causing one of its tear tyres to burst but continued to escape toward the Ramintra expressway ramp.

Pursuing officer then decided to shoot at the tyres and finally was able to put it to stop.

The driver was drunk.

He told police he drank beer and smoked marijuana before getting on his car looking for passengers.

Measurement of alcohol test showed he had contained 181 mm percent alcohol by volume which is over the standard.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bangkok-taxi-driver-arrested-for-drunk-driving


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-14

[DavisH]

wow close to 4x the legal limit....and all doped up too? Based on previous incidents this should incur a 500 baht fine and a slap on the wrist At least he didn't kill anyone.

[kkup]

He'll be out tomorrow waiting for jobs at Nana

[EyesWideOpen]

So with this bit of bad news, in order to offset it , I guess next week we'll be seeing the standard

news story about a taxi driver with a heart of gold who returns 5 million baht in cash a passenger left

in his cab...

[Lee4Life]

I never thought I would read the term "full cowboy" in a news article here! Sure is easier to understand than some of the stuff that is written.

It's also nice to see some firm action by the boys.

[flyingdoc]

Good shooting ! All 4 wheel nuts in one go !

[mango66]

he was in hurrie to bring back the car, otherwise he would have lost his job !!

he will be granted by the taxi association as best of the month !!

[quandow]

Just thinking . . . what if YOU were driving on the other side of this taxi when these expert marksmen opened fire on the cab, missed, then hit YOU in the head?

You REALLY think this was the RIGHT way to handle this situation?!?

[mikeoxwelling]

Good on them!! Why you'd want to let a mug like that keep on driving is beyond me.

[ToddinChonburi]

Full Cowboy or Full Cowgirl, That is the ?

[iphototjes]

Yeah well, not so long ago me and a friend of mine asked to put the meter on. That resulted in a knife attack. Nice bunch of bastards driving taxi's here…….

[Gillyflower]

I suppose they mean "tyres".

[wvavin]

This is an absolute social menace and we hope he can be put away from the society for a long time.

[emilymat]

That worries me. A Thai cop who can shoot straight. I always felt safe when a Thai cop pulls his gun by simply standing in front of him.

That's like me on the tee.

Stand in the middle of the fairway and you are as safe as houses.