Police Checkpoints in Roi Et.

[Liquorice]

Has anyone noticed the dramatic increase of Police Checkpoints around Roi Et in the last few weeks?

In the last 4 weeks I've been pulled over 6 times on my motorcycle. 3 times at the same location.

The checks seem to be centred on motorcycles and older pick up trucks.

It's not just helmets and licences either, they check everything.

One evening last week I was even asked to take a breathalyser!

Yesterday, I approached a main junction and you could see a large checkpoint straight across the other side of the junction.

I was turning left anyway, but 25 metres to the left and right were more checkpoints, so those trying to avoid one checkpoint by turning off, just ran into another one.

I always carry my licence and tax, as well as copies of my passport and permission to stay in Thailand.

However yesterday, I was in a queue waiting to be attended. Some 6 or 7 motorcycles plus an old pick up truck were before me. One officer was waving down the vehicles, one officer was checking all their documents. As I waited, every Thai was issued a ticket for one reason or another, to take to the desk situated across the road.

A few argued, but the officer still calmly wrote a ticket and pointed to the desk.

I'd been waiting for about 10 minutes before he came over to me, by which time I had my tax, insurance, driving licence and copies of my passport, extension and registration book ready for him to look at.

After checking every document, he smiled and said "farang, very good. Thank you".

What amazed me though is that the 7 Thais in front of me were all issued tickets for some kind of traffic misdemeanour.

That's pretty worrying if you were to ever have an accident. Just how many people are illegally driving on the roads?

[ubonjoe]

Most probably did not have a drivers license or a current registration.

My wife often gets asked to drive a friend of hers bike when they have the check point up between the village and the main part of town. The friend rides as a passenger because they don't have a license.

[OLDAUSSIE]

Just how many people are illegally driving on the roads?

Far too many, because its all about money.

[DILLIGAD]

Probably a new head of Police just arrived and he "needs" to let people know.

There will probably be a "new initiative" next week in Roi Et.

[SlyAnimal]

I don't drive in Roiet at night that often, but last time I did (About a month or so ago), I saw a lot of checkpoints (I drove through one, which breathalyzed me & checked my licence, and just drove past the other two).

Luckily I hadn't been drinking at all (despite having been out at a bar with a mate). It's just a good reminder that it's not worth the risk of drinking and driving while in the city.

[Liquorice]

There will probably be a "new initiative" next week in Roi Et.

That'll be a first in Thailand then!

initiative

ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv,-ʃə-/

noun

noun: initiative; plural noun: initiatives; noun: the initiative

1. 1.

   the ability to assess and initiate things independently.

   "use your initiative, imagination, and common sense"

   synonyms: enterprise, inventiveness, resourcefulness, capability; More

   imagination, imaginativeness, ingenuity, originality, creativity;

   drive, dynamism, ambition, ambitiousness, motivation, spirit, verve, dash, energy, vitality, vigour, leadership, vision;

   informalget-up-and-go, zing, push, pep, zip, punch, pizzazz

I haven't seen much initiative, imagination or common sense put to use here.

If they were really serious about the driving laws, they should start banning offenders or confiscating vehicles, but that would have a negative impact on the 'tea money'.

[Liquorice]

I don't drive in Roiet at night that often, but last time I did (About a month or so ago), I saw a lot of checkpoints (I drove through one, which breathalyzed me & checked my licence, and just drove past the other two).

Luckily I hadn't been drinking at all (despite having been out at a bar with a mate). It's just a good reminder that it's not worth the risk of drinking and driving while in the city.

There are more active checkpoints in the daytime than in the evening.

Bravo for being visibly proactive, but the punishment doesn't always fit the crimes.

No licence, no tax, no Insurance.............take them off the road and save a life.

Meanwhile, whilst I was perfectly legal, in the 15 minutes I was held up my 'Chocolate Cornetto' I'd just purchased from 7/11 melted away in the bag .................gutted!

[lostinisaan]

One of our Thai relatives got caught drinking and driving in Phuket area two years ago. Arrested on the spot, in the monkey house for three days, finally had to pay a hefty fine and wasn't allowed to drive for six months.

You might take the time and read what could happen to you....

http://www.livingthai.org/what-happens-when-you-get-caught-drink-driving-in-pattaya.html

[Liquorice]

Won't happen to me, I don't drink............but good to hear the punishment fitted the crime in Phuket.

I know a couple of Police here and they tell me it's usually a 10,000 baht fine (no receipt) and carry on with your journey.

[SlyAnimal]

I think it was recently (last few months) changed it so that it's meant to be 1 months jail + a steep fine.

Although with a punishment that harsh, I'd assume most people simply pay an "on the spot, no receipt, fine".

[Jip99]

I don't drive in Roiet at night that often, but last time I did (About a month or so ago), I saw a lot of checkpoints (I drove through one, which breathalyzed me & checked my licence, and just drove past the other two).

Luckily I hadn't been drinking at all (despite having been out at a bar with a mate). It's just a good reminder that it's not worth the risk of drinking and driving while in the city.

There are more active checkpoints in the daytime than in the evening.

Bravo for being visibly proactive, but the punishment doesn't always fit the crimes.

No licence, no tax, no Insurance.............take them off the road and save a life.

Meanwhile, whilst I was perfectly legal, in the 15 minutes I was held up my 'Chocolate Cornetto' I'd just purchased from 7/11 melted away in the bag .................gutted!

Good job it wasn't a Magnum................... they are 40 Baht !!

[Jip99]

Won't happen to me, I don't drink............but good to hear the punishment fitted the crime in Phuket.

I know a couple of Police here and they tell me it's usually a 10,000 baht fine (no receipt) and carry on with your journey.

A couple of years ago BiL got stopped. 10,000 Baht fine (with receipt) and he had to report to Prakhonchai police station 4 times over the course of the next year.

[lostinisaan]

I think it was recently (last few months) changed it so that it's meant to be 1 months jail + a steep fine.

Although with a punishment that harsh, I'd assume most people simply pay an "on the spot, no receipt, fine".

Better no receipt and a few beer less, than a criminal record in Thailand.

Maybe a good way for some to lose some weight......... .