Phuket taxi, van drivers banned after drunk-driving charges

Yutthawat Lekmak

 

 

PHUKET:-- Three Phuket taxi drivers and two van drivers have had their driver’s licenses suspended for six months after they were caught drunk driving during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign.

 

Sommai Sutkhao, Director of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), confirmed the news today (Jan 6).

 

“Their vehicles have already been returned to them, but they have had their commercial driver’s licenses suspended for six months as they were found guilty of drunk driving,” Mr Sommai told The Phuket News earlier today.

 

“Everyone knows that that the nationwide Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign was also held in Phuket, and for me this was simple enough – people must not drink and drive,” he said.

 

“Those who are caught doing so face the penalties, which are up to one year imprisonment, a fine of B5,000 to B20,000 or both, and having their driver’s licence suspended for six months,” Mr Sommai added.

 

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-taxi-van-drivers-banned-after-drunk-driving-charges-60527.php#4hwqwYSwtMY3K7hZ.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-1-6

Would have been nice if the PLTO had seized the vehicles for the 6 month drivers ban- the vehicles are probably already back on the road.

 

The only way these ***** and others will learn is to hit them properly in their pockets year round- not with pathetic week long 'campaigns'.

6 month driving ban is a very good start ... but we all know these guys will just continue driving ...

vehicle seizure would be much more effective.

Those arrested for drunk driving during holiday periods should be sentenced to a year in jail.  Eventually other people will realize  it's not worth the risk and I'm sure the problem  would be reduced in the future.

Does anyone really think that a driving ban will stop these irresponsible morons, they already have their vans returned to them?  Seize the vans at least for 6 months to make it a little more difficult to return to the roads.

If they are caught driving on a ban / suspension  was will the penalty be ? 

Hope it's not a 500 baht fine .

1 hour ago, Searat7 said:

Those arrested for drunk driving during holiday periods should be sentenced to a year in jail.  Eventually other people will realize  it's not worth the risk and I'm sure the problem  would be reduced in the future.

 

Aren't enough jail places for that. Otherwise yes, good idea. And they should certainly not be given their vehicles back. Who is going to stop them driving, despite the ban?

22 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Aren't enough jail places for that. Otherwise yes, good idea. And they should certainly not be given their vehicles back. Who is going to stop them driving, despite the ban?

 

What if the driver does not own the vehicle ?  Many drivers are employed by the owners ... but even better if these owners lost the use of vehicle ... would make them more careful who they employ as drivers .. 

1 hour ago, steveyinasia said:

Does anyone really think that a driving ban will stop these irresponsible morons, they already have their vans returned to them?  Seize the vans at least for 6 months to make it a little more difficult to return to the roads.

Many checks at the moment of minivans and big buses, also GPS checker is started to be checked. And don't forget frequent airport checks for minivans. Not a good idea for them to go driving without a valid DL at the moment.

I feel that the proverb associated with this punishment is why bite the hand that feeds it.These drivers were names for the frame.The plod had to find a few to suffer for this but no way was it going to be more than a token punishment.Yes, the taxis are back on the road,with others driving them.Maybe with the same drivers carrying their 'get out of jail free 'cards with them.The BIB no doubt have a financial interest in the whole of the Taxi industry across the country.Why on earth would you want to cut your tips down.

“Their vehicles have already been returned to them, but they have had their commercial driver’s licenses suspended for six months as they were found guilty of drunk driving,” Mr Sommai told The Phuket News earlier today.  ---  So  now they are free to thumb their noses and continue to drive.

 

“Everyone knows that that the nationwide Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign was also held in Phuket, and for me this was simple enough – people must not drink and drive,” he said. They should have known that it is ok for this behavior before or after the 7 days of danger.............

 

“Those who are caught doing so face the penalties, which are up to one year imprisonment, a fine of B5,000 to B20,000 or both, and having their driver’s license suspended for six months,” Mr Sommai added. So they allegedly lost their driving privileges for 6 months. What about the other two penalties? I presume that at least one of the two ended up in the pockets of the inept police.

 

This is exactly why the system is broken. people know that they can continue to break the law with impunity as there will be no consequences. The RTP at l east have some control over their considering this the next time with the two. But the license suspension is a joke. I expect that a good percentage of the people drive without ANY license.

'why bite the hand that feeds it '

 

Exactly correct. The BiB have to make the car payments and 2nd home payments.

no-one  cares a toss,i have seen very large signs put up at the end of Rama 4 / suk road junction, about riding on the pavement, up to 5000 baht fine,  just got off the bus

and nearly got knocked down by half a dozen scooters on the pavement.

Maybe they need to look into aviation in the meantime. They might fit in well with the rash of pilots I have been reading about in the news lately.