Somyot seeks harsher laws amid street racers' jeers

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Somyot seeks harsher laws amid street racers' jeers
Jessada Chantharak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- General Somyot Pumpunmuang, the National Police chief, yesterday dismissed a reported verbal threat by juveniles who were recently arrested for racing on Bangkok's streets and affirmed that those who violated the law would be severely punished.

"We won't let children and youths misbehave and commit wrongdoings or create public disturbances. There must be stricter measures in place so that it wasn't just detention, lawsuit filing, submitting them to rehabilitation and warning parents because they would re-commit the offence," he said.

On Sunday night, a joint taskforce of police, soldiers and rescue workers rounded up 425 street racers on Ratchaphruek Road in Thon Buri district but later temporarily released 125 juveniles as the police's 48-hour holding period had expired.

Somyot said the police failed to get the court's detention order on time - but the matter does not end there. Even though the police were unable to submit the case to the public prosecutor within 48 hours of the arrests, it doesn't mean the suspects walk free, Somyot said. The case will be with the public prosecutor soon.

Somyot said he would discuss with the Land Transport Department harsher punishments for those charged with street racing. As police had already recorded the information these racers, repeated offenders would face additional punishment and possibly suspension or cancellation of their driving licences, if the Land Transport Department agrees.

"I believe people who have been disturbed by street racers would support the police's works because we must solve the problem sustainably, not just on a day-to-day basis," he added.

Pol Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri, his assistant in charge of traffic, would consider the matter and submit a recommendation for Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to co-ordinate with the Land Transport Department to implement stricter measures, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Somyot-seeks-harsher-laws-amid-street-racers-jeers-30261541.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-04

[berybert]

Crush the smarmy idiots bikes. Sure you wont be able to re sell them, but does it always have to be about what you can make out of it ?

Dang almost forgot where this happened.

[NongKhaiKid]

What was the alleged threat and where / when was he jeered ?

Iffy reporting ?

[otherstuff1957]

So the parents of 125 juveniles paid the police to lose their paperwork and the rest didn't.

I'm guessing that those 125 will get their bikes back too.

[ezzra]

Get a steam roller to crush some bikes while everybody watches... that will get the message through...

[smedly]

Crush the smarmy idiots bikes. Sure you wont be able to re sell them, but does it always have to be about what you can make out of it ?

Dang almost forgot where this happened.

I agree - confiscate the equipment and the problem will go away very quickly

[FangFerang]

They're missing a real opportunity here for income. Make a track and straight run where they can come, pay a fee, and sign wavers to race. get them off the street and on a supervised track.

[geriatrickid]

What was the alleged threat and where / when was he jeered ?

Iffy reporting ?

They threatened to give him a wedgie at recess.

He was jeered as the wayward youth gathered at the local 7-11 to pop each other's pimples and talk about which girl was putting out.

Trust this fills in the gaps.

[thesetat2013]

Imagine there is little to no respect for any authority by kids here nowadays. Why should there be anyway when the people who raised the kids didn't control them or instill discipline with consequences for their actions.

[NickJ]

I agree crush there bikes.....

[circusman]

Confiscate the motos ? And they go buy a new one. What have you gained ?

[billphillips]

Confiscate the motos ? And they go buy a new one. What have you gained ?

You have demonstrated that the powers that be and the public in general don't approve of their hobby. You have also taught them that their selfish pastime of disturbing others .... Is really quite expensive.

[cgphuket]

Confiscate the motos ? And they go buy a new one. What have you gained ?

Crush enough and mommy and daddy stop buying new ones.

[Mister Fixit]

I wish they'd take a look at Tiwanon Road between Khae Rai and Pak Kret late one dark night ...

[siam2007]

I wish they'd take a look at Tiwanon Road between Khae Rai and Pak Kret late one dark night ...

not to forget Bangna-Trat Road where the 22 lanes (16 on ground level and 6 elevated on the tollway) are very tempting. Races here every single night since ages.....