A street racer: “street racing is like a daily activity that street racers cannot do without”

[snoop1130]

A street racer: street racing is like a daily activity that street racers cannot do without

THAILAND:-- Most motorcycle street racers regard illegal street racing as a daily activity that they cannot do without otherwise they will feel missing out something that matter, a street racer told Thai PBS after his arrest on the night of July 17.

The street racer whose name was withheld because he is a minor was among 63 illegal racers and pillion riders rounded up in Bangkok by a combined force of police, military personnel and local officials.

Among the detainees were 45 youths under 18 whose parents were summoned to meet with the authorities on Tuesday to acknowledge the charges against their children who were also placed under probation.

The street racer claimed that he didnt take part in the illegal racing but just one of the spectators. However, he admitted that he had participated in several street racings in the past but gave up after an accident when he broke a foot bone.

He explained that he quit racing because he was cursed and looked down upon by people who knew about his illegal activity.

The youths mother who asked to be anonymous said she agreed with the tough measure against the street racers but had reservation about the punitive actions against the parents. She admitted that not every parent had time to look after their children because they had to work to make a living.

Acting metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathavorn said that each parent would have to put up a 20,000 baht surety for a two-year probation period for each offending racer.

This amount of money will be confiscated if the offender was caught engages in a second racing, said Sanit, adding that the measure appears to be harsh against the parents but it is necessary for the peace of the majority.

Under the NCPO order, a parent whose son or daughter was caught repeating the illegal racing will be liable to three months jailterm and/or a fine of 30,000 baht.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/173067-2/

-- Thai PBS 2016-07-19

[halloween]

If they can't stop racing they should be allowed to continue, but without the bikes. Street racing on foot may even be legal.

[jerojero]

They will be missing something? They already are missing some brains! Idiots.

[billphillips]

The kids mother doesn't agree with the action against the parents because the parents don't have time to take care of the kids ??? Stupid cow, she ignores her problem and passes it on for everyone else to deal with. Obviously an individual with deeply ingrained parenting skills and morals.

[tandor]

If they can't stop racing they should be allowed to continue, but without the bikes. Street racing on foot may even be legal.

...I saw a rare thing other day..two Thai men running..does that constitute street racing?

[Emster23]

Teach them to play bridge

[NongKhaiKid]

This echos something a street racer was reported to have said to a newspaper a couple of moths ago when he complained racers were being picked on, that some of their bikes were more expensive than many cars and since they were bored " what else was there to do ? "

i suppose the alternative would be playing computer games.

[whatproblem]

If the woman can't look her kid because she works ,dare I say this ,could she not lock motorbike up and take keys with her or will her, sorry can't upset son ,might hurt her

[DrTuner]

Give them tracks to race on.

[Artisi]

The kids mother doesn't agree with the action against the parents because the parents don't have time to take care of the kids ??? Stupid cow, she ignores her problem and passes it on for everyone else to deal with. Obviously an individual with deeply ingrained parenting skills and morals.

Fully explains the majority of problems with Thai kids.

Edited July 20, 2016 by Artisi

[CarolJadzia]

Kids will be kids, Teenagers will rebel.

Blaming parents is not the solution, trying to keep a teenager on a chain, especially when they get their own motorised transport, is impossible anywhere in the world.

It is a teenagers "right of passage" good luck trying to control it with rules and enforcement, that's what teenagers are designed to do.

[metisdead]

Nonsense posts have been removed.

[williamgeorgeallen]

get a truck mounted motorbike crusher and crush the bikes on the spot if caught hooning, or accept a bribe not to crush it. a good idea turned into another profit making exercise for the fuzz.

[ddavidovsky]

Give them tracks to race on.

They probably woudn't be interested. Like giving graffito artists a wall they are allowed to paint on. The thrll is in the illicit.

Just give them all a couple of days in the slammer every time. Eventually they might get fed up of that.

[seajae]

these idiots are not only risking their own lives but also every else that is on or near the roads they do it on. We did the same when we were younger but we did not do it on main roads or where other users/people were, these idiots simply dont care about anyone else or even consider the fact they may kill someone. The police/army really need to start crushing the offending bikes, the only way they can stop these idiots is by destroying the bikes they race on, maybe when it becomes a financial loss they will realize it isnt worth it. As for the parents, allowing their kids to do as they please is their fault, pulling them into line and teaching them some values would also go a long way to stopping some of the crap but that would require the parents to actually give a sh*t, when we see a parent putting up videos of his 12 y/o daughter driving herself to school everyday and bragging about it you really have to wonder at their total lack of brain power, they have no idea of what responsible parenting is about at all.

[Doc46]

This echos something a street racer was reported to have said to a newspaper a couple of moths ago when he complained racers were being picked on, that some of their bikes were more expensive than many cars and since they were bored " what else was there to do ? "

i suppose the alternative would be playing computer games.

Or get a,, part time or full time,, job,,,,,Oh chucks we can't do that,,,,than we have no time to Race,,,

Edited July 20, 2016 by Doc46

[Deli]

Give them a Ferrari and Red Bull, than it's all legal

[lvr181]

Give them a chance on a race track because then the bulls hit stops when the flag drops.

[nausea]

Most grow out of it. I met a very mature (emotionally), reasonable, Thai guy who used to be a "street racer" when he was a kid. Youth needs to rebel in some way. There are a lot worse ways than street racing.

[Krataiboy]

In the last few days we have read of a Thai teenager who robbed his mother of a million baht, a kid who killed his mum because she wouldn't lend him money and many more horror stories which reflect the depth of family relationships in Thailand.

Now we are asked to believe that juvenile offenders will become angels overnight if their parents are sent to prison or made to pay heavy fines for their offspring's misdemeanours.

Is it just me?

[Wilsonandson]

These are the very people who need to do community service in the city morgues. Not only drink drivers but these street racers. They need to see what happens when they endanger theirs and other peoples lives with their reckless driving.

They should also be taken to visit families of those who have had their sons or daughters killed by street racing.

There is no positive side to speeding down a public road. If they are really enthusiastic about motorcycle racing then go join a club with a race track that has all the proper safety gear. Plus anyone riding a motorcycle without a helmet has a death wish.

[sanukjim]

They are very much in need of an :"Attitude Adjustment" by doing a few days in a police "boot camp" environment,or sent to a farm to gather rice during the harvest.

[anotheruser]

This echos something a street racer was reported to have said to a newspaper a couple of moths ago when he complained racers were being picked on, that some of their bikes were more expensive than many cars and since they were bored " what else was there to do ? "

i suppose the alternative would be playing computer games.

They could likewise join TV. Many of us fill the empty holes in our lives here

[SOTIRIOS]

...primitive degenerates....

..same excuse for all other sickos....rapists...murderers...liars...cheats and thieves.....so.... ???

...so that makes all this sick sh*t okay.....???

...wake the f!@#$ up and start pressing charges....

...before that admit the problems......

...don't condone them with pathological..... infantile excuses and 'explanations'...

[NongKhaiKid]

Most grow out of it. I met a very mature (emotionally), reasonable, Thai guy who used to be a "street racer" when he was a kid. Youth needs to rebel in some way. There are a lot worse ways than street racing.

So you think it's ok for them to race on the public roads risking other peoples lives because they don't seem to care about their own ?

Are there not other ways of burning off youthful exuberance ?

[vogie]

Teach them to play bridge

Discussing illegal activities will not be tolerated on TV!

[Mitker]

Impressive

what about trying the same logic while changing the topic?

like replacing "street racing" with:

"beating my girl",

"urinating on your car",

"chopping a bread seller with machete" ...?

[tuanku]

The parents of these kids are one pressure point, although "proper" supervision of teenage boys is a difficult ask, especially where in many Thai families both parents (where there are 2) have to work just to put food on the table and a roof over their heads (and afford the TV, phones and pick-up truck)

As many, if not most of these drivers are unlicensed, uninsured, buying bikes in instalments and driving modified bikes, there are other pressure points

Bike manufacturers - can limit the power and speed of these bikes. This can be Government mandated.

Bike accessories - all performance enhancing accessories can be made illegal.

Finance companies - can cancel loans and repossess bikes used to commit crimes if the owner cannot pay off the loan in full, and can refuse loans to families where there is a record of bike racing.

Law enforcement - can act in 3 key areas, licensed and insured drivers, age of driver, bike modifications. Can make driving licence and insurance checks (alongside helmet checks) and confiscate permanently or temporarily bikes ridden without licenses or insurance..

Transport department - can mandate proper driver training with a realistic driving test. Connecting insurance with dated number plates makes that easy to determine. New plates every year when the insurance is paid.

Insurance companies, can change from insuring vehicles to insuring drivers. Can refuse insurance to anyone without a licence and can increase premiums for those found racing.

A good waste of 25 minutes as none of these suggestions would probably ever be considered. Parents are a soft target.

[anotheruser]

Why don't they just block off a street and let them do it? Many places are completely abandoned at night. You are allowed to race in the area specified and if caught anywhere else your bike is impounded and you simply don't get it back.

[poohy]

Sounds like that " Mother" is as, if not more ,brain dead than her kid