Pattaya Police Shoot At Drunken Dane's Truck

[margaretcarnes]

Reported elsewhere that a shooting mishap occurred Friday night in Pattaya. Two police - one either side of a road - shot at a car driven by a farang which was supposed to have been involved in a hit and run accident.
The inevitable happened and one of the cops shot the other one by mistake.
Fortunately only in the leg. Had it been more serious I wouldn't have laughed - honestly!

[sateeb]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013 ... 99s-truck/

[Big Boy]

Hmmmm..... I've often wondered what would happen if I didn't stop.

Not saying that I wouldn't stop of course - I'm normally driving quite legally, so nothing to hide. However the thought has often gone through my mind that they're not really equipped to chase you at these checkpoints. I often see stupid U-turns as others are approaching checkpoints, and nothing seems to happen to these people.

2 nights ago there was a checkpoint on the railway crossing roundabout. Motorcyclists (without helmets) were simply driving the wrong around the roundabout to avoid being stopped

[Dannie Boy]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013 ... 99s-truck/

Having read the article, you find numerous reports at the bottom of the article reporting other shooting incidents in Pattaya - makes you feel grateful for living in such a relatively crime-free area!!

[Takiap]

Hmmmm..... I've often wondered what would happen if I didn't stop.

Not saying that I wouldn't stop of course - I'm normally driving quite legally, so nothing to hide. However the thought has often gone through my mind that they're not really equipped to chase you at these checkpoints. I often see stupid U-turns as others are approaching checkpoints, and nothing seems to happen to these people.

2 nights ago there was a checkpoint on the railway crossing roundabout. Motorcyclists (without helmets) were simply driving the wrong around the roundabout to avoid being stopped

I'm not sure what the law is here, in SA the traffic police can shoot if you don't stop when told to. They also ride bikes and cars that are very capable of chasing you. Put it this way, I wouldn't dream of not stopping.

A while back I saw the MIB signal a Farang woman to stop by the main traffic lights in town because she didn't have a helmet on. She did as she was told and mounted the pavement, but then just kept going and went back onto the road and away. The policeman just stared and shook his head.

[bsdk1960]

off topic.

I saw a policeman stop a motorbike whit a farrang on and only ask him to put his t-shirt on.

[taffinexile]

When I was over in Hua Hin in November, the taxi was flagged down on the by pass for speeding. Initially he thought he had drove through, due to another car in front was pulling up. But a few hundred yards up the road two more cops were waiting for him. He stopped and paid the fine/ tea money. The policeman pointed out to us that we shouldn't let him speed!

[margaretcarnes]

When I was over in Hua Hin in November, the taxi was flagged down on the by pass for speeding. Initially he thought he had drove through, due to another car in front was pulling up. But a few hundred yards up the road two more cops were waiting for him. He stopped and paid the fine/ tea money. The policeman pointed out to us that we shouldn't let him speed!

Great one. This post should be flagged up as an example to anyone who doesn't believe the old adage - 'if the farang wasn't there it wouldn't have happened' !

[VincentD]

1. If you're going to drink, make alternative transport arrangements. The penalty for drunk driving in Thailand isn't a slap on the wrist any more.

The Dane was fleeing an accident, and drove through a police checkpoint. I would assume they found out he was drunk later, rather than sooner. He was lucky they only shot at the tyres....

2. If you've got a heavy window tint, wind down the windows if being flagged down. That action, plus the fact they can see you, it lessens the likelihood of being detained.

[Bristolian]

1. If you're going to drink, make alternative transport arrangements. The penalty for drunk driving in Thailand isn't a slap on the wrist any more.

As I understand, penalties for drunk driving were toughened last year. Offenders now face up to six months' imprisonment and/or fines of up to 60,000 baht.

In addition, not only drivers but all occupants of vehicles, of any kind, who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to the same six months imprisonment and/or a 60,000 baht fine.

The penalties can be imposed on those caught drinking alcohol in vehicles parked on sidewalks or shoulders of public roads, including sois, regardless of whether the vehicles are moving. Strangely, the only exception under the current law is for occupants of vehicles parked in front of their homes.

[Big Boy]

In addition, not only drivers but all occupants of vehicles, of any kind, who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to the same six months imprisonment and/or a 60,000 baht fine.

Really? I have never driven after having had a drink, but I've often carried passengers who have had a few drinks.

What happens if you call a taxi after having had a drink?

If you're right, the law is an arse.

[STEVE G]

What happens if you call a taxi after having had a drink?

If you're right, the law is an arse.

They brought in a law recently that passengers can't drink whilst in vehicles but you can still do it before you get in!

[Big Boy]

Right, I remember that, and Kendo saying he would still sneak a few small ones on to the bus to enjoy while he travelled.

My confusion came when Bristolian linked drink driving to drinking while travelling - 2 completely different things in my opinion.

[Bristolian]

My confusion came when Bristolian linked drink driving to drinking while travelling - 2 completely different things in my opinion.

My apologies BB

I certainly did not intentionally try to confuse anyone

Of course the two offences are very different but the link between them is that under Thai Law the maximum penalty for both offences is the same. In my opinion, a passenger drinking an alcoholic beverage in a car being driven by a sober driver is far less of a concern than someone driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol and therefore should have a more lenient penalty .

[Big Boy]

No need to apologise - I'm easily confused sometimes.