now i don't know how the f**k they come up with these figures and they do seem a bit far fetched....but it's taken from thaivisa and the nation ....o it must be true.not only r they gonna crack down on drink drivers but booze is gonna be 3 times cheaper (i don't f**king think so somehow) when the Asean free trade agreement comes into effect !!!   BANGKOK: -- The government is imposing a strict law against drunk driving, under which violators will be arrested immediately and be subject to prosecution within 48 hours, a Bangkok seminar on road safety was told yesterday.

A mandatory fine of between Bt5,000 and Bt20,000 will also be imposed on convicted violators, along with the drivers' licence being suspended for six months or forever for repeat offenders, judge Prasong Mahaleetrakool said.

The law is currently being tried out at Bangkok's Thung Maha Mek police station, where drunkdriving violations are the most frequent. "The casualties from road accident in their jurisdiction is even higher than robberies or other crimes," Pol MajGeneral Anuchai Lekbamrung told the seminar.

The law will be strictly enforced during the holiday period. Each year, at least 12,000 people die and 100,000 get injured from road accidents, which costs the state around Bt240 billion. The Don't Drive Drunk foundation is concerned that the rate of road accidents would rise next year when liquor will become three times cheaper thanks to the Asean free trade agreement.

-- The Nation 2009-12-03

Let's hope it's true. I have seen way too many drunk drivers out there, and I lost a good friend to that **** back home, so I'm all for it!!

Damn, I saw your title and figured they'd decided to replay the France-Ireland game . . .

That's great news. However, I can see them not following through with this for more than a few months...sad really.

not only the fee for drunk driving and 6 month driving license suspended, the package also includes 24 hours community service, which is strictly enforced.

well I don't drive. so that don't affect me anyways

or just pay the policeman 1,000

******* joke police wankers...

5000 to 20,000 baht fine but how much is the bribe ?

I agree with Beej here. This law is great but I wonder about how well they will enforce it knowing how corrupt some of the police officers are. More than laws and fines the people need massive public campaign and education programs showing the consequences and dangers of driving under the influence of alcool. It took years and years to start to change the people behavior toward drinking and driving in north america...

Yeaaaah, I'll finally dare to cross a street ! :-D

When I see it, I'll believe it.

great opportunity for Bangkok's Thung Maha Mek police station to make some extra tea money..

A good friend of mine (farang who has lived/worked in Thailand for at least 7 years ) got pulled over for a DUI a few months back and his passport was confiscated in the process. He went to court .. was fined by the judge and told he could go get his passport back. The police then wanted 150k baht to return his passport and he was threatened with deportation if he did not pay... as corrupt as the police are I seriously doubt that this will change anything...

I'm all in favour of cracking down on drink driving - but the REALLY good news is that booze will be 3 times cheaper with the Asian free trade agreement - 3 bottles of Singha for the price of one, that's gr8 :-) BTW I never drink and drive, because I always used to spill the beer in my lap :-) Also guys, why the nasty remarks about the Bangkok police? They're the best policemen money can buy

I just wish the clubs were allowed to be opened till 6-7 again

I dont drive when going out anyway!!!