What are the Police up to now?

[uniquefashionista]

Hi all. First post...
I was driving from Karon to Patong last night about 1am when the plod stopped me on the hill before the Safari. I had a helmet on but they didn't ask to see a licence. Instead the rozzer made a drinking gesture with his hand and said "Drink whisky?". I wanted to say "That's very nice of you, I'll have a double" but instead mumbled something about having had a couple of beers and he let me on my way.

On the way back at about 3am I was stopped in Karon at the corner before the roundabout. Again a drinking gesture was made, again I said I'd had a few beers, again I was let on my way.

I can only guess they're looking for obviously drunk people and they'll breathalise them. Anyone got any better idea of what they're up to?

 

[bryn]

Look like they begin crackdown on drunk driving, and I guess while talking with you they look how you act.

In the past I only know they had checks outside Phuket City. I wrote about a guy in Patong who had a night out in Phuket City and had to do alco test and went to jail. He said it was his worst experience ever. (It was about 6 months ago)

 

[Pompal 09.]

Last December it was the same!
Strange controlls aginst drunk driving.
I guess they start again a campagne with the beginning of the high season mg:

 

[Kellzs]

last nov outside kata they were stopping all farangs no helmet and on the spot fines issued 1000 bht

 

[Lady Silver Rose * Wolf]

this happens quite often.

But 1000 bath? Usually 500, isn`t it?

 

["Team Failure"]

but isnt thatonly for the person in control of the bike?
im sure the passenger/s who dont wear helmets neverget fined

 

[thunderdragoonx]

I was a passanger without a helmet back in april, I didn't get a fine when we where stoped

 

[thecheapest902]

In the past the fine for not wearing helmet was 300 baht in Patong and 200 baht in Phuket City.

 

[broken angel]

I got fined for not having drivinglicence for motorcycle. 300bath..
The police took my drivinglicence,gave me a note, i drove down to the police station and payed the fine,back on the motobike to the policeofficer that had my licence and showed him the reciept i got. He gave me back my drivinglicence and said "have a nice evening, drive carefully"....

Was stopped a couple of times in the traffic controll by the gocart. They only looked at it and said thanks and let me go...

 

[iaminvisible8888]

If you have a helmet with you and are not wearing it, the charge is more than not having a helmet at all. A form of stupidity tax I presume.

 

[Physics Dummy]

Paint me confused... If you didnt have a license, how did you leave him your license to go to the cop shop ??

 

[everobin2000]

I guess he took Tarzan's national driver license, it is valid for car but not for motorbike. (In his case, I have both car & mc on mine)

This is also varying, sometimes national licenses is not valid in Thailand and lately the police seems to accept it again. I should renew my Thai licenses which are expired to be on the safe side.

 

[Gtry.]

I have no problems with them checking for drunk drivers. It is dangerous not only to yourself, but also other road users, and is stupid.

 

[dalton]

i never drink and drive as i spill my beer !

 

[Stardust]

As Nicke said, I have a Swedish driving licence for car only..

Was a little fast writing the post and missed that part...

 

[Elle]

I only carry my UK lincence with only car market (but have an int with bikes on it but dont carry it) and have never had to pay...

A few times they said I had to pay but I just argued my way out of it..

 

[Hurdy]

Sound advise stevem.The other drivers around Patong are bad enough without being half cut yourself.
Around 12 years ago I used to drink and drive,so stupid,driving home gripping the wheel and squinting to focus on the road.Sometimes I used to even wonder how I got home after a good session.Then one night I thought about it and realised how dumb it was.From then on I made a conscious effort to cut right down if I had the car with me.It didnt work though.One night I had 2 pints of Wifebeater (Stella) and thought I was fine.I got stopped doing someone a favour and was over the limit by 2mg.It was enough to lose me my licence for 12months and was that a hardship :sad: But I deserved it.From that day on I have never had a drink and then driven (well 1pint only)
I have spent a fortune on taxis but I have a clear consience that I won't be responsible for injuring or worse someone else.I think the Swedes (and others)have it correct with the no alcohol at all to drive law.It would reduce a lot of misery around the world.

 

[Favre Fan]

hi do you need to have a drivinglicense for a motorbike like a honda wave or not ?

 

[Cjfogler15]

As far as i know you need a drivinglicense. Although many people ride motobikes without one.