About 2 weeks ago I was coming back from WS to my condo in Jomtien and ran into a checkpoint.
They had the weirdest breathalyzer, never seen something like it in my country. You had to blow into the direction of 
the breathalyzer but no further instructions were given.  One light actually stayed red all the time and while we waited for the 
result the second light only turned yellow. 
Not sure what that meant but was allowed to continue.

33 minutes ago, Bastos60 said:

Not sure what that meant but was allowed to continue.

By theory it should mean that you were under 50 mg (0.5 ‰).

 

 

9 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

By theory it should mean that you were under 50 mg (0.5 ‰).

 

 

But shouldn't there be a light turning green to verify enough samples were taken or something like that?

At least such devices exist.

"AlcoBlow".

Indeed just blowing directly into the cone at top of the device.

No mouth piece, nothing to put in the mouth.

 

One light being red all the time sounds like an improper measurement?!

 

Videos on the net suggest that it would indicate "red" at only 20 mg.

A very basic quick tester. Maybe just used as an indicator whether more elaborate tests have to be done?

I guess even in Thailand it would need more to prosecute a person.

 

One of a couple videos about "AlcoBlow":

 

 

It was indeed something similar they used. 
Two light, with one light which was red all the time and the other light turning yellow after about 1-2 minute wait, but no instant response.

3 minutes ago, Bastos60 said:

after about 1-2 minute wait

That sounds strange and far from the promoted features in the video.

 

Maybe the batteries were at end of lifetime

that might have been the case indeed.

Obviously in the states everything is calibrated and I doubt here.

I do have a question about bac. tests here.  Is there a choice like in the states: blood, breath or urine? What about if you refuse any test?

 

 

Edited May 12, 20179 yr by bkk6060

I wouldn't be able to answer that. 
I just comply and if caught face the consequence.

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Obviously in the states everything is calibrated

 

"Obviously." No.

 

Nearly 400 people were convicted of driving while intoxicated in the District since fall 2008 based on inaccurate results from breath test machines, and half of them went to jail, city officials said Wednesday.

 

--DWI Convictions Due to Faulty Breathalyzer Calibration

 

 

Oh and they had that checkpoint on Wednesday evening/night on both occasions I saw them, the second time I was on a mototaxi so didn't get stopped.

3 hours ago, JSixpack said:

 

"Obviously." No.

 

Nearly 400 people were convicted of driving while intoxicated in the District since fall 2008 based on inaccurate results from breath test machines, and half of them went to jail, city officials said Wednesday.

h

--DWI Convictions Due to Faulty Breathalyzer Calibration

 

 

Like I said they are calibrated. Nothing was commented about a 7 year old story in one place. Some people are so insecure. Better luck next time

Edited May 12, 20179 yr by bkk6060

So what's the process? I assume that they quick-test you, and if the test is positive, they ask you to park on the side of the road, where they will "offer" you to perform a real test or otherwise make a one-time contribution to the police pension fund?

This is the one they used on me at a checkpoint.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Newest-Mini-Digital-Breathalyzer-Keychain-Breath-Alcohol-Tester-Professional-Alcohol-Content-Detector-alcohol-Analyzer/32761318298.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.30.UZZhw2

 

 

Edited May 15, 20179 yr by LongTimeLurker

21 hours ago, SiamBeast said:

or otherwise make a one-time contribution to the police pension fund?

Don't be too optimistic that this works at a proper checkpoint.

Real story: caught on Friday evening on 3rd road.

Locked up at police station.

40'000 Baht bail. He managed to call friends to bail him out for the weekend.

Monday morning to court.

10'000 Baht fine.

No blacklisting or the like.

That was last year.

 

NOT me!

What they use at those checkpoints is a breathalyser wand to speed up tests.

 

If the light, that now was yellow, turns red you get "invited" to move your car to the side and get further tests.

On 5/15/2017 at 0:39 AM, SiamBeast said:

So what's the process? I assume that they quick-test you, and if the test is positive, they ask you to park on the side of the road, where they will "offer" you to perform a real test or otherwise make a one-time contribution to the police pension fund?

Basically yes but the second test using a fresh mouthpiece on the calibrated machine with a full explanation given while it runs the pre-test calibration is not optional. Up until a few months ago, only after a positive test on the calibrated machine was there an opportunity offered to negotiate a 'contribution', something between 10,000 and 20,000 baht being examples. However, from what I have heard more recently, this option is seldom offered but won't even be mentioned if the police check has an army contingent attached.

On 15.5.2017 at 10:20 PM, KhunBENQ said:

Don't be too optimistic that this works at a proper checkpoint.

Real story: caught on Friday evening on 3rd road.

Locked up at police station.

40'000 Baht bail. He managed to call friends to bail him out for the weekend.

Monday morning to court.

10'000 Baht fine.

No blacklisting or the like.

That was last year.

 

NOT me!

They were at it Sunday night at the Thappraya / Pratamnak intersection.

I got word that the contribution solution worked, 10k.

Knowing the hassle of procedures, I think this is still a good deal and would do the same in such a situation.

But act quickly and ask to see the checkpoint boss before anything is written on paper, don't wait for an invitation.

Edited May 16, 20179 yr by manarak

the blow in the direction machine i think is just an indicator as to whether or not there is alcohol on your breath,if that proves positive more test will be done and then you will be done,if not positive you will be ask to go on your way. its just a way of speeding things up for everyone.

 

 

On 15/05/2017 at 10:20 PM, KhunBENQ said:

Don't be too optimistic that this works at a proper checkpoint.

Real story: caught on Friday evening on 3rd road.

Locked up at police station.

40'000 Baht bail. He managed to call friends to bail him out for the weekend.

Monday morning to court.

10'000 Baht fine.

No blacklisting or the like.

That was last year.

 

NOT me!

work colleague (foreigner) went through the same 3 weeks ago except his bail was 30k and he had the cash on him.

 

same 10k fine.

bribing the policeman is not a fine. go to lock up, post bail and front a judge next working day, Farang fine is 10k.

2 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

 

 

work colleague (foreigner) went through the same 3 weeks ago except his bail was 30k and he had the cash on him.

 

same 10k fine.

So I guess to avoid a possible shank job in jail keep 30 to 40,000 b on you at all times...

There are also stories of guys bikes, ID's, passports being held for ransom.

I have driven buzzed and it is stupid.  Now, after dark I just leave my motorbike at home and walk/take taxi/tuk tuk. Lots less stress and worry.   

Just now, bkk6060 said:

So I guess to avoid a possible shank job in jail keep 30 to 40,000 b on you at all times...

There are also stories of guys bikes, ID's, passports being held for ransom.

I have driven buzzed and it is stupid.  Now, after dark I just leave my motorbike at home and walk/take taxi/tuk tuk. Lots less stress and worry.   

Best deal to avoid a shank job in jail is to catch a taxi/baht bus/mototaxi.

 

Cheaper too !!

On 2017-5-12 at 8:47 PM, bkk6060 said:

Like I said they are calibrated. Nothing was commented about a 7 year old story in one place. Some people are so insecure. Better luck next time

He's only stating a point to u. No need to get sarcastic.

Anyway this is Thailand not usa so we don't care ???

Edited May 17, 20179 yr by Sooo Upto Me
Not finished

Simply one more reason why I will always use public transportation in Thailand. A farang driving any kind of vehicle is free money for the BIB.

AAAAh yes,,, the Thai only version of a, "breathalizer",,,, Texas Instraments calculator, batteries held in with duct tape,,, and a McDonalds drink straw duct taped to the top of it,,, It'll read, ".07" or ANYTHING they want,, ALL night long,,,,,,, 5555555555 Happened to me once,, I REFUSED to blow into it,, said,, "I'll blow at station"... was man-handled a bit,,, it was shoved into my mouth again,,, Again,, I refused,, said I'd blow at the station,,, next thing I knew,, I was standing alone next to my scooter,, I simply drove home,,,, 

 

Edited May 17, 20179 yr by Adeeos
text

5 minutes ago, Adeeos said:

AAAAh yes,,, the Thai only version of a, "breathalizer",,,, Texas Instraments calculator, batteries held in with duct tape,,, and a McDonalds drink straw duct taped to the top of it,,, It'll read, ".07" or ANYTHING they want,, ALL night long,,,,,,, 5555555555 Happened to me once,, I REFUSED to blow into it,, said,, "I'll blow at station"... was man-handled a bit,,, it was shoved into my mouth again,,, Again,, I refused,, said I'd blow at the station,,, next thing I knew,, I was standing alone next to my scooter,, I simply drove home,,,, 

 

...and then you woke up?

12 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

...and then you woke up?

Yes,,, Yes I did about 5 hours later,,, and was SOOOO glad,, I had a real life,, and my entire life wasn't all about trolling posts on TVF,,, and sitting in front of a keyboard,, HOPING, PRAYING someone was,,, "wrong" on the internet,,,, AND praying,, my fat, old Thai, "wife" and her family,,, would never figure out I was worth more dead,, than alive

Edited May 17, 20179 yr by Adeeos

8 minutes ago, Adeeos said:

I had a real life

Yes, apparently you did. So what happened to it?

28 minutes ago, Adeeos said:

AAAAh yes,,, the Thai only version of a, "breathalizer",,,, Texas Instraments calculator, batteries held in with duct tape,,, and a McDonalds drink straw duct taped to the top of it,,, It'll read, ".07" or ANYTHING they want,, ALL night long,,,,,,, 5555555555 Happened to me once,, I REFUSED to blow into it,, said,, "I'll blow at station"... was man-handled a bit,,, it was shoved into my mouth again,,, Again,, I refused,, said I'd blow at the station,,, next thing I knew,, I was standing alone next to my scooter,, I simply drove home,,,, 

 

nice story but, nah not even close.