BKK Police Chief Angered by Breathalyser Test Requests

By Kaosod Eng.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Sriwarah Rangsipramkul (center) visits an exhibition about police checkpoint discipline at the Traffic Police Division in Bangkok, 16 October 2014 [Matichon]

BANGKOK — The commander of Bangkok's police force lashed out at volunteer traffic cops who asked him to take a breathalyser test even after he insisted he was not drunk.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Sriwarah Rangsipramkul described the incident to reporters this morning, and said he has now ordered his subordinates to improve the "quality" of traffic officers.

"Recently I passed through a drunk-driving checkpoint. I rolled down my window and told them I hadn’t drunk any alcohol, but the [police] volunteers said, 'you have to take the breathalyzer test,'" Pol.Lt.Gen. Sriwarah recounted. "I told them no five times, but the volunteers wouldn't give in."

Pol.Lt.Gen. Sriwarah said he was off-duty at the time and not wearing a uniform.

"If those volunteers were quality people, and had some wits, they would have realised that I didn't smell of any alcohol. Eventually, I had to tell them who I was and get out of my car and criticise them."

Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1436939696

-- Khaosod English 2015-07-15

Wow, way to go to confirm there's a very big double-standard here ... same thing happened with the gun at the airport ... the laws/rules don't apply to me, I'm too important.

" Eventually, I had to tell them who I was and get out of my car and criticise them"

Silly silly silly little man.

I suppose out of uniform he just looked like any other drunken prat.

Got to be a strong contender for "Thainess" of the Month award.

Rotten to the very core.

The bloke front left is doing a good Mr.Bean.

Sounds like he was drunk and this is his way of getting off.

If he had any quality himself then he should have taken the test and commend the volunteers for doing a good job, everyone are equal to the law... but obviously this high ranking officer sees himself above the law.

Herein lies the whole problem. He should be fired for a statement like this but of course he won't.

Fly Thai biz class at the moment and it's full of military families flying free. Nothing changes.

Ah-ha, so the secret phrase is "I have not drunk any alcohol", and we'll be waived through.

This story also proves that volunteer cops are more honest than normal cops.

Such a common behaviour among senior officials that one wonders whether they have to pass a course on carrying 'the pride of the star' before being promoted.

Ah-ha, so the secret phrase is "I have not drunk any alcohol", and we'll be waived through.

This story also proves that volunteer cops are more honest than normal cops.

The volunteer cop should get a promotion, but we all know what will really happen.

"Refusing to take breathalyzer test also carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. " - Khaosod article

If he had nothing to worry about, why not lead by example and take the test?

Hey Prayut, here's one for your list...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840528-prayut-turns-up-heat-on-crooked-civil-servants/

They just don't get it...how can you expect any kind of justice and reconciliation when deluded pricks like this are in charge, It would be nice to think he was the exception but I really don't believe that....

"If those volunteers were quality people"

Sounds like that was exactly what they were, actually doing their job and probably under his orders.

The arrogance of some people is beyond description!

If im a top police chef in any country i surely travel with my own private motorcade and stuff like that... with sirens and flashlights and rounded up people around my route... there is absolutely no way anyone would breathalyze me that way for sure!

He should have set an example...

He should no be an example, sent to an inactive post while facing charges of refusing the test.

Breath taking (no pun intended) arrogance and stupidity. I hope Prayut sacks him immediately.

What's wrong in the minds of those who should receive the law upright here.
Shame on you.

Sadly hierarchy remains the most important part of the fabric that is Thai society. During my years as a teacher this was a constant source of frustration, impeding progress and education.

Outrageous and totally unnacceptable. Lead by example.

Nothing to hide, then you should go ahead and take the test and show that you are setting the right example.

Terrible.

I don't particularly like the term 'thainess' but the complete arrogant disregard to anything and anyone but yourself and the naive belief that you are above reproach seems to fit very well within the term as does the deluded idiot who uttered them

It must be quite embarrassing for educated Thais as this constant daily proof provided by the so called educated classes, the leaders and the pillars of society must tell them that something is fundamentally very, very wrong here...

Thailand...hub of DYKWIAs

The smart thing of course would have been to take the test to show no-one is above the law... but this is Thailand...

In other counties it is compulsory to undergo a breath test when asked by an authorised officer irrespective of your rank, status or position.

I guess that leading by example is not part of his job description.

How can people come into leadership positions, which are obviously not suitable as a guide model for others?

The bloke front left is doing a good Mr.Bean.

And the guy behind him just got word his mia noi's visa card is maxed out.

I'll do the same next time when I drive through a breathalyser checkpoint.

This is shocking behaviour by a senior policeman.

I hope the microphones are working when Camronwit arrives back.