A fine day: Driver fined THB400 for not stopping car during national anthem

[snoop1130]

A fine day: Driver fined THB400 for not stopping car during national anthem
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Kevin Friery

A picture of a fine bill for THB400 went viral on Facebook earlier this month, and the fine was given because a man didn’t stop his car to show love for the country, as “good Thai citizens should do.”

“This is just because I didn’t stop my car to show respect for the national anthem. I was fined THB400. Look at this, folks,” Facebook user Winyoo Sreewipuck captioned the photo, which was shared on Facebook on July 1 from Chonburi.

Many netizens commented on this post. Some pointed out that this might be just a hoax, considering that the fine bill is not stamped and there’s no officer’s name written. However, others believed this was real, and condemned the man for “not loving the country.”

Full Story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/07/12/fine-day-driver-fined-thb400-not-stopping-car-during-national-anthem


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-07-12

[Happy Grumpy]

Getting them to stop for zebra crossings, red lights and car crashes might be a start.

If the powers decide to trace this guy, he better hope he didn't make it all up, the current climate isn't really set up for poking fun at with forged Royal Thai Police documents and one's computer.

Edited July 12, 2016 by Happy Grumpy

[assayer]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

[KhaoNiaw]

It would be interesting to know where it supposedly occurred - there's not much detail on the ticket. Following the link to the Facebook page of the guy who posted and looking around a bit, I'd say fake.

[Happy Grumpy]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

One yellower-than-yellow politician actually proposed that all vehicles be required to stop at 8am and 6pm during the Yellow - Red war years.

It was pointed out that it was, errrr, how could I say it without opening myself to legal prosecution.... oh, I can't.

[daveAustin]

the officer explained that there really is a law stating that you must stop your car if you hear the national song and/or see the country’s flag being raised. Those who disobey could face up to a THB4,000 fine and two years in prison

I could possibly understand at a stretch if one is driving very slowly across a parade square or within a temple compound, but c'mon! What next, land all planes in Thai airspace at 08:00 and 18:00? All this nationalism should wane as a country progresses, not the other way.

[trainman34014]

If it's real the country has taken another step back toward the dark ages !

[off road pat]

Pffft,...peanuts.....I was fined once in Vietnam 20 years ago, for driving my wheelchair in a one way,...I was so amazed and happy to get a fine for this and would have a field day explaining this to my friends for many years to come ...the ultimate story..! but somebody spoiled my fun by telling the policeman that it would be stupid to give me a fine for this,...and the police man turned away..

This one is even better,...happened to me in my country Belgium,...Can't stop laughing,....This morning I had to go to Court to clear a Handicapped Parking offense, to explain my case I needed my original handicapped parking card,....so far so good,...I was cleared of any wrong doing,. and so, I could go,....once outside I saw a parking ticket on my car !!! I had no handicapped parking card ! ! ! ! ! catch 22......Ooo,... the Irony of it !!!

Edited July 12, 2016 by off road pat

[rkidlad]

I remember being in a taxi and the national anthem came on. Taxi driver just turned the radio off.

There's an old saying; "A person isn't stupid but people are".

[baboon]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

One yellower-than-yellow politician actually proposed that all vehicles be required to stop at 8am and 6pm during the Yellow - Red war years.

It was pointed out that it was, errrr, how could I say it without opening myself to legal prosecution.... oh, I can't.

A bloody silly idea?

[ratcatcher]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

One yellower-than-yellow politician actually proposed that all vehicles be required to stop at 8am and 6pm during the Yellow - Red war years.

It was pointed out that it was, errrr, how could I say it without opening myself to legal prosecution.... oh, I can't.

No need for any regulations. At 0800hrs and 1800hrs, most of the traffic in the capital is stopped anyway.

[petedk]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

Well, I saw it ONE time at a university I was teaching at.

Normally the cars didn't stop, but one day they did. Maybe because the first one stopped thus "forcing" the ones behind to do so.

[Wilsonandson]

An interesting national anthem.

http://thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2319_two_anthems/two_anthems.html

[Nerone]

I always stop when i ear the anthem in the radio. Howhever I had to change various car in the last years de to many rear end collisions...

[kannot]

anytime i get told i "must" to something ridiculous........................

[dcnx]

Nationalism is a mental illness. It is only by pure luck we were all born in the country we were born in. Nothing to be proud of, you didn't do anything and neither did anyone else.

[edwinchester]

Just north of Kanchanaburi there is a small town called Nong Kao. On the main road there, the 324 between Kan and Suphanburi, at 8am every weekday morning a policeman stops the traffic on the highway during the national anthem.

[The stuttering parrot]

Looks a bit suss to me .

However in my early days I did witness people stopping on the spot for the anthem.

Haven't seen it for a long time but when I did I thought it's indoctrination but hey it's not my culture and I respect it.

The story is a bit short on detail for my liking.

[tifino]

So I guess the first thing to do is to turn up the radio (CD Player) to Max, before lowering the car window to wai to the BiB

Edited July 12, 2016 by tifino

[Thian]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

I remember 10 years ago while i was shopping on Chatuchak market suddenly everyone stopped moving, it was like being in a movie. After a while i finally understood why it was.

Haven't seen that in the last 10 years. Nobody stops.

[Suradit69]

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never, even on one of the military bases, seen anyone stop when the Anthem was being presented. Pedestrians stopped but never a car or motorcycle!!

Still considered de rigeur to come to a standstill when the National Anthem is played each day at 6:00 and 18:00. Probably not as likely to be observed by drivers in urban areas.

[Basil B]

One reason for not bringing F1 to Thailand, particularly as they probably not want it to start until 17:00hrs to suit European viewers...

[balo]

Most probably a fake story. I drive around 6 PM in many places , never seen a car stop.

[berybert]

What a great idea it would be the play the tune whenever someone pushed the button at a Zebra crossing or a set of traffic lights,

One way to get the bastards to stop.

[Moonmoon]

i should stop everytime i m on the highway at 6pm when the anthem comes on my car radio with cars zooming past me at 200km/h to show respect.

[dcnx]

Just north of Kanchanaburi there is a small town called Nong Kao. On the main road there, the 324 between Kan and Suphanburi, at 8am every weekday morning a policeman stops the traffic on the highway during the national anthem.

Sounds like something they would do in North Korea to honor their supreme dear leader.

[jacko45k]

So all the red traffic lights in the country should be replaced with loudspeakers playing the National anthem?

[maoro2013]

Would be interesting to the the traffic stop on Sukhumvit Road Bangkok at this time.

[Laughing Gravy]

To the article well the amount of Thai people I see stopping but talking to each other and talking on their phones, is shocking to me whilst the anthem is played. No respect at all. 30 seconds that's all it takes. Stopping whilst driving for the anthem is well, ridiculous and has nothing to do with respect. How would you her the anthem anyway. My radio or music is usually on.

[williamgeorgeallen]

Getting them to stop for zebra crossings, red lights and car crashes might be a start.

If the powers decide to trace this guy, he better hope he didn't make it all up, the current climate isn't really set up for poking fun at with forged Royal Thai Police documents and one's computer.

its not set up for telling the truth about them either.