Man forbidden from getting on underground for drinking says he is using the train rather than drink and drive

[webfact]

Man forbidden from getting on underground for drinking says he is using the train rather than drink and drive

 

Picture: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- A video of a man arguing with officials on the Bangkok MRT (underground) is causing a huge amount of comment online.

 

The video shows the man angry that the guards are trying to prevent him from getting on a train because he has been drinking.

 

But he explains that he is doing this to avoid drinking and driving.

 

Sanook reported that the clip was posted to the page of "Chaiwat Chantasakuldetch" and has been widely shared and commented upon.

 

The poster said: "The argument got louder and louder until three officials got involved. At first I thought it was good that they were not allowing drunks on the railway until the guy explained: 'I decided not to drive and take the train because I have been drinking. I haven't annoyed anyone. In Japan they wouldn't stop me from getting on a train' ".

 

The poster added: "Ok so he had had a drink - so what. He was not causing any trouble. Maybe the guards were under orders to prevent trouble."

 

Sanook reported it was not known if the man did indeed miss his train or was escorted from the station. But they said that the guards threatened him with a breath test by police to which he said incredulously: "That's for drunk drivers!"

 

Online comment fell into two camps. Those who said it was good that the man was using public transport and those who were worried that he might have caused trouble for others on the network.

 

Source: Sanook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-04-14

[darksidedog]

Truly amazing that the one person showing a spark of intelligence and wanting to use public transport, rather than driving drunk gets hassled.

It might be different if he were loud, obnoxious and looking for trouble, but the story says the opposite.

How is this country going to reduce its appalling drink driving situation, when people trying to do the right thing, receive such treatment?

 

[Bluespunk]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

those who were worried that he might have caused trouble for others on the network.

Why would they think that?

 

Guy comes across as being fairly rational in the story. 

 

Certainly thinking more clearly than the numpties threatening him with a breathalyser  test for wanting to ride a train. 

 

Duh!

[MarkusAUST]

Brilliant idea. Send him away, so he has to use his car and can kill a few other people on the way home.

[yellowboat]

It can be a real challenge to do the right thing in Thailand.  This is one such example. 

[NCC1701A]

one man tries to do the right thing and runs into wall...

 

"You bad. Can not ride train. Must drive car! Or we arrest you! What is Japan?"

[henry15]

Why he  didn't take a taxi

[joeyg]

6 minutes ago, henry15 said:

Why he  didn't take a taxi

The public transport in BKK is quite good.  I prefer it over sitting in the chronic traffic jams.

[Puccini]

2 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Unfortunately, for many pompous idiots, they equate drinking alcohol to being bad. I've spoken to girls who have told me that they're 'good girls' because they don't drink.

 

It would have been helpful if you had mentioned the age range of the girls your are talking about.

 

I am inclined to agree that a girl below the legal age for drinking alcoholic beverages is a good girl.

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed, the replies were removed as well. 

[Mickmouse1]

I agree with him entirely. Silly MRT staff.

2 hours ago, henry15 said:

Why he  didn't take a taxi

Bcz he has not enough <deleted> dosh,that's why???

[joeyg]

Money is not an issue for me. When I'm in Bangkok I try to travel as much as possible on the BTS or MRT. It's always interesting coming to an overpass and looking at the "giant parking lot" down On the streets.

[Mickmouse1]

Of course we do go on BTS or MRT if available. Taxi if no P.T available and have enough dosh if the bar girls did not succeed in stripping him clean ??

[joeyg]

2 minutes ago, Mickmouse1 said:

Of course we do go on BTS or MRT if available. Taxi if no P.T available and have enough dosh if the bar girls did not succeed in stripping him clean ??

I spend all my money on wine, women and song. The rest I waste... 

[Maggusoil]

Definitely security scumbags, crackers. Amazing Thailand. Its the contrast, the contrast . . . . Agreed with everyone. Too drunk to drive home but, do not catch a train. 55555555!!!! Oh dear.

My first sorrowful laugh today.

[steven100]

If he wasn't staggering or causing trouble then he should have been allowed on the train ...

I thought by the headline it was sure to be a drunken farang causing trouble with MRT staff. 

[joeyg]

Just now, steven100 said:

If he wasn't staggering or causing trouble then he should have been allowed on the train ...

I thought by the headline it was sure to be a drunken farang causing trouble with MRT staff. 

I lived in Bangkok for year and have seen more than my share of really blasted people on the BTS. There were a couple instances where I was one of them... 

[RigPig]

1 hour ago, henry15 said:

Why he  didn't take a taxi

Maybe he tried and was refused because it was close to changing the shift, the traffic too heavy or going in the wrong direction!  But we should understand the hard done by cabbies...

[steven100]

Just now, joeyg said:

I lived in Bangkok for year and have seen more than my share of really blasted people on the BTS. There were a couple instances where I was one of them... 

well your probably one of those farang who know when to sit down and shut up .....

I've seen plenty drunken idiots just looking to end up in trouble ..... 

Thais have a right to feel safe when travelling on public transport .

[joeyg]

Just now, steven100 said:

well your probably one of those farang who know when to sit down and shut up .....

I've seen plenty drunken idiots just looking to end up in trouble ..... 

Thais have a right to feel safe when travelling on public transport .

Yes my friends have always told me I am a very quiet and happy drunk...

[Dipterocarp]

No shortage of stupidity in my country either but how drunk was he?

 

In America they encourage drinkers to call a Taxi. But then they tow your car away. Huge fees to get back. Even if left overnight in a huge suburban free parking lot with hundreds of empty spaces. A money based racket no safety justification.

[wirat69]

My first trip on underground from Heathrow at least 50% of the non-tourists were ranging from tipsy to blind drunk. As soon as one caused a hassle by trying to take someone's suitcase the others got it sorted real quick. Hard to say it was a problem.... but then again maybe the Brits hold their piss better than Thai!!! hahahahaha 

[bangkokbanjo]

Interesting dilemma. Hate drunks on the subway back in nyc. Really the law is no public intoxication. This means you cant cant drunk and be out and about. Even walking drunk is illegal. Now reality wise, i think he should have taken a cab, but even cab drivers dont want drunks in their cars so its a dillema indeed

Sent from my SM-G920V using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed. 

[mommysboy]

Unfortunately a rule banning alcohol consumption on the subway has been turned in to a ban on anyone who has been drinking alcohol.

 

This is obviously about rowdy behaviour or being so incapacitated that one is a danger to oneself or others.  Sympathy with both people here.  No easy answer.

 

 

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, henry15 said:

Why he  didn't take a taxi

Because he was in Bangkok, and probably did not want to risk being scammed. While I'm here, as a non drinker, I can see that

there is a big difference to having a drink and being drunk, a lot of drinkers are responsible people, as this chap seems to be.

[SiSePuede419]

With all due respect, every country has public intoxication laws.  Just because they're seldom enforced doesn't make it legal. 

Section 378. Public Intoxication

 

Any person who puts himself in a state of drunkenness by consumption of alcoholic beverage or other intoxicant substance, and comports himself with troublesomeness or senselessness in a public way or public place, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand baht.

http://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/criminal-code-misdemeanors-sections-365-380/

 

 

[darksidedog]

9 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

With all due respect, every country has public intoxication laws.  Just because they're seldom enforced doesn't make it legal. 

Section 378. Public Intoxication

 

Any person who puts himself in a state of drunkenness by consumption of alcoholic beverage or other intoxicant substance, and comports himself with troublesomeness or senselessness in a public way or public place, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand baht.

http://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/criminal-code-misdemeanors-sections-365-380/

 

 

That is a fair comment, but it does not seem to cover this particular instance. He wasn't troublesome, he wasn't senseless. In fact the story doesn't even say he was particularly intoxicated. Given the new level of .02 and if he had drunk only 2 beers, he would be wise to not drive.

To my mind, this man is the only one in the story to come away with any credit. He was trying to be responsible, a very rare commodity in this country.

The stupidity he ran in to though, is sadly far too common.

 

[mommysboy]

5 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

With all due respect, every country has public intoxication laws.  Just because they're seldom enforced doesn't make it legal. 

Section 378. Public Intoxication

 

Any person who puts himself in a state of drunkenness by consumption of alcoholic beverage or other intoxicant substance, and comports himself with troublesomeness or senselessness in a public way or public place, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand baht.

http://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/criminal-code-misdemeanors-sections-365-380/

 

 

Anyone who comports himself in a troublesome or senselessness in a public way or public place is liable to sanction anyway... regardless of whether he's been drinking or not.

 

The point is the behaviour exhibited not alcohol consumption.

 

I guess there must have been something in the man's behaviour that prompted him to action.  Seems harsh to me. 

 

 

[TumblinDice]

I suppose a cab would be out of the question?

Who wants to sit next to or anywhere near a booze hound about ready to piss himself??