Phuket Aussie expat faces reckless driving and drunk driving charge

Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: An Australian expat today (July 16) faces being charged with drunk and reckless driving after he allegedly drove his new vehicle into several other vehicles in Cherng Talay leaving three people injured and then fleeing the scene.

Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Serm Khawnnimit received a call at 4:30am this morning from Baan Pasak resident Mr Somchai Choomrak, 52, where it was stated that a foreigner, who appeared to be drunk, had driven his new car into many vehicles on Soi Pasak leaving three people injured.

The man then fled the scene and drove to a house further along the soi before dumping the car in the middle of the road and disappearing into his house.

One injured person was taken to Thalang hospital, while two others continued to go to work with minor injuries after the crash police were told.

Officers led by Lt Sathaporn Thongthep arrived in the area to meet with Mr Somchai, a saleng driver, who was standing next to the abandoned red plated grey Honda Jazz.

Police were led to the home where the foreigner had entered and knocked at the door. The foreigner, named as 39-year old Paul Vockler, who police also said was drunk, answered the door.

Lt Sathaporn said, “We could smell alcohol on the man as soon as he opened the door, we also noticed that his mouth was bleeding.”

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-aussie-expat-faces-reckless-driving-and-drunk-driving-charges-58282.php#eFKdLRzmg28v4zLy.97

-- Phuket News 2016-07-16

Silly bugger ....

It's hard to tell from the picture, but is he a vegan as well?

Should have said he was simply to distressed to be breathalized. Seems to work for hiso Thais...

Another quality expat.

Many soon adapt to the Thais regarding driving.

Good luck getting your car insurance paying for that, I doubt any car insurance will pay if the driver is over the limit.

So looks like an very expensive night out.

he should be punished. Justly, and appropriate - like Thai people. This means of course his punishment will be much milder than what Jenphap will get or the girl who killed nine, or the red bull perp....

Let me pipe in for NKM here. "if the price of a taxi or tuk tuk was reasonable, this wouldn't have happened".

Stupid person....... give him the equivalent fine and licence disqualification period he would get back home...we dont need more drunks on the road here......

Having to recover from a massive hangover in a steaming hot Thai jail cell should be punishment enough

Just goes to show you that Aussies are very good at assimlating into a culture when they immigrate to another country.He not only was DWI,he crashed the car,caused injury AND FLED THE SCENE TOO. He is now officially Thai. Well done Lad.

He has to don the frock else deported to Central or northern Australia. ..he won't crash into anyone there?

Interesting comments in the article about the alcohol limit depending on how long you have had your license. I'm wondering if the 5 year rule is for Thai driving licenses only

Hope he spend some good time in monkey house

I just do not understand people who drink (a little or a lot) and drive, especially in Thailand, (but back home usually have turn in not drinking or stay overnight), where public transport is everywhere and cheap.

I have a motorbike and yes I drink, sometimes way too much, but when I go out I already take a mototaxi to my drinking place/bar and another one back.

Spending hundreds/thousands of baht on drinking (and girls/guys), but not wanting to spend a 50-200 baht on safety for others and yourself.

Just stupidity I guess.

He surely drank only after reaching his home and the servant drove the car.

Just tell 'em a hi-so BS story and all will be fine. Or not?

Interesting, had this been a Thai the Hang em High lot would have been full on by now.

This guy deserves the book thrown at him, he could have killed someone!

He surely drank only after reaching his home and the servant drove the car.

Just tell 'em a hi-so BS story and all will be fine. Or not?[/quote

remember he is an alien.

some people do not know their limits.

he was drunk and driving. he then smashes into

several vehicles and flees the scene, a farang, sticking out like a sure thumb

in a foreign land.

deserves what is coming to him.

i am surprised he did not get beaten up by the other drivers.

Just shows that its not a typical Thai thing but that foreigners do hit and run too. Hope they throw the book at him, I have no problem with people using drugs, alcohol included but the moment they start driving cars or motorbikes when under the influence they are total idiots in my book and deserve everything they get.

Stupid idiot.. can spend loads of money on alcohol but not a couple of 100 or even a 1000 bt on a taxi.

Interesting, had this been a Thai the Hang em High lot would have been full on by now.

This guy deserves the book thrown at him, he could have killed someone!

because its not fair. He followed the Thai rules by getting drunk and then driving and did the right thing and ran away. Its what he read on Tv and thought that it was just the way your supposed to do it here, you know when in Rome do as the Romans do.

Im sure if he explains this politely to the judge they will let him go

Let me pipe in for NKM here. "if the price of a taxi or tuk tuk was reasonable, this wouldn't have happened".

The price I am sure was much more reasonable that night then his future cost..And you are wrong ,Your statement should read "If the idiot was not drunk" this might not have happen.

he will spend time in the Bangkok Hilton a heavy fine and of course no insurance payout.good night out

Interesting comments in the article about the alcohol limit depending on how long you have had your license. I'm wondering if the 5 year rule is for Thai driving licenses only

Yes, caught my attention too. Does somebody now?

I just do not understand people who drink (a little or a lot) and drive, especially in Thailand, (but back home usually have turn in not drinking or stay overnight), where public transport is everywhere and cheap.

I have a motorbike and yes I drink, sometimes way too much, but when I go out I already take a mototaxi to my drinking place/bar and another one back.

Spending hundreds/thousands of baht on drinking (and girls/guys), but not wanting to spend a 50-200 baht on safety for others and yourself.

Just stupidity I guess.

A little or a lot? If you just drink a glass of wine to lunch or dinner you're not only within the legal limit, you're also not drunk. Ever thought about rest alcohol the next day when you say sometimes you're drinking way too much?

he will spend time in the Bangkok Hilton a heavy fine and of course no insurance payout.good night out

I seriously doubt it. He will pay the usual light fine (1,000 baht) and a big back hander.

...sadly....he is not experienced in disappearing....after all he is a visible minority....

...a Thai would have disappeared in the woodwork and reappeared a few days later claiming brake failure...or brakes stuck....or a dog in the street...

...and nothing more would have come of it.....

Let me pipe in for NKM here. "if the price of a taxi or tuk tuk was reasonable, this wouldn't have happened".

You forgot baht buses!

Don't bother with the breathalyzer, the picture tells it all !

Interesting comments in the article about the alcohol limit depending on how long you have had your license. I'm wondering if the 5 year rule is for Thai driving licenses only

Interesting Law. Never heard of such a Law before. Maybe I should go back to Law School to update my JD Degree. When I attended Law School Drunk was DRUNK, there were no different levels. But then of course I didn't go to Law School in Thailand either.

How much is the alcohol limit when you have your driver license for the past half century???

Waiting to see the half century limit.

LOL in LOS

Dont think he is aussie with a name like that..