Caught Drink Driving

Post by **stattointhailand** » February 5, 2014, 12:32 pm

Just a quick warning to watch out for the checkpoint near TOT office.

Got stopped there last night and breathalyzed .... registered as over so the BIB asked me to blow again ....... still well over
He called to his mate "TWO THOUSAND" and asked me to pull to the side of the road.
Pulled over and queried the equipment as 2 small Leo in over 4 hrs is usually OK (15 previous checks have agreed).
He asked me to go to the table and see the boss, to whom I also queried the equipment. He had a different machine which he asked me to blow in, whilst telling me that under 50 OK anything over 50 "big problem" .
After waiting for a few seconds with the machine on the table in front it slowly registered up to 17 which is about the same as eating a bit of Xmas cake or a couple of rum truffels :-"

I'm not suggesting that there was any kind of "scam" going on, it was obviously just a machine malfunction, but it did seem to be malfunctioning by rather a lot !

If I had just paid the fine, I would have been thinking that I could only have ONE small beer to stay under the limit and that would have had a serious effect on my evenings out ..... making ONE beer last for 4 hrs is even beyond my ability, not that I would have been able to afford a second for a few weeks

Post by **FrazeeDK** » February 5, 2014, 9:13 pm

well, it was good that the officer in charge had a more reliable machine and was willing to give you a second test.. I suppose if push came to shove you could demand a Blood Alcohol Test (BAT) at your own expense to prove it..

Post by **Khun Paul** » February 6, 2014, 11:40 am

Too often we hear of problems regarding this subject, and I really do wonder , why so many foreigners seem to think that the standards they left behind no longer apply here.
Maybe they wish it to be so , or it is just they are so bloody S****, that they think they can get away with it. True more often than not they can, but that does not make it right.
Bottom line IF you drive Do NOT drink ( alcohol ) .
Remember it isn't always you that causes the accident/ injury/death. BUT if you have had one drink , you could and would probably get the blame anyway. Here more so than in your home country as from what I have seen, Thai Police Accident Investigation is at best POOR. PLUS coupled with the fact that you are a foreigner, would mean Pound signs springing up all over the place.

Post by **bubbles** » February 6, 2014, 11:44 am

Agree entirely with your post

Post by **MrFixer** » February 7, 2014, 1:53 am

Interesting thread.

One Saturday evening late last year I got stopped at a checkpoint near the airport. The officer poked the breath-tester toward my face and asked me to blow. I didn't blow but without really thinking responded (in Thai) that I was a non-drinker (which is true). He looked slightly surprised, apologised for stopping me and waved me on my way!

Must have an honest face because another time I was stopped driving out of KK and asked to show my driving license. I told the officer that it was in my bag in the boot of the car (which was true). His response was, 'don't worry' and waved me on!

I must say that in all my dealings with the Thai police I have found them to be very polite. Been stopped for speeding a few times (both with and without justification) but the customary donation to the 'police benevolent fund' has seen my on my way with a handshake...

Post by **wayne747** » February 13, 2014, 7:46 pm

Thanks for the OPs honesty in posting this. It is easy to condemn but I applaud the courage in sharing this that many of us would hide and never mention.

So, apart from not DUI, it seems a good idea to always have some cash in the backpocket...

Post by **Sakhonnick** » February 14, 2014, 8:07 am

Since that day last year i have when in Udon stayed near the bar scene so its walking distance and never drive, ive had a couple of beers at 2 places outside this walking distance but kept it at 2-3, not 10 like before, however now that i read the post again this did shake me up a bit, decided now i wont even risk that 2-3 if i want to go to these other nice places outwhere i normaly book when in udon i will just take a samlor tuktuk!!

in Sakon City the police are also out on force at various junctions in the evening, so be carefull, bottom line dont drink and drive its just not worth it.

Post by **BigBubba** » February 14, 2014, 9:48 am

Good advice, Nick! I go into town at least twice a month with friends for dining and drinking. From our place to Central is 80 baht, less than 3 bucks. I pay one way, my friend pays the other. It's worth it just for the peace of mind and not having to worry about the drive home.

Post by **Sakhonnick** » February 14, 2014, 9:58 am

Yes correct Bubba, even if its rounded at 100baht each way its still worth it $3

My trouble is if I were to have a bite to eat at your place then enjoy the time which I always do and fancy a beer after that's where I have to say ok, ill drop the car off and be back in 10mins on a tuktuk then its peace of mind knowing, im doing the right thing

Post by **Khun Paul** » February 15, 2014, 6:16 am

It would appear that the bottom line is that the OP was courageous in his post and that as provoked others to admit that they have transgressed. No-one is pointing fingers many note the honesty and thank all to show the rest of us the error of our ways.
Here at last they seem to be taking this seriously, unfortunately with the level of corruption and poor equipment then the only way to avoid all of that is to abstain completely , so that they have no reason to even start the discussion of tea money or even incarceration.
I have heard of one chap who blew a positive but upon speaking to officer in charge of the stop check blew a negative on his machine.
The last time i was stopped and asked to blow i saw the machine still had the spittle of the last person on it, so I wiped it with my handkerchief BEFORE blowing a customary negative. The officer was not impressed but then neither was I.

So beware all machines .