Thai drunk-driving law tightened

**cluezo** · 10th August 2012 04:08

With 60,000 THB fines for open alcohol containers, will we see DUI checkpoints?

Drunk-driving law tightened
The Nation August 10, 2012 1:00 am

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday.

The penalties will also be imposed on drinkers in vehicles parked on sidewalks or shoulders of public roads, including sois, regardless of whether the vehicles are moving, OAB director Samarn Footrakool said.

Passengers of railbased transport who drink are not subject to the penalties, which took effect on Wednesday. Drinking occupants and drivers will be equally liable for such violations. "The only exceptions under this law are occupants of vehicles parked in front of their homes," he said.

Stop Drink Foundation director Theera Watcharapranee said the law would be helpful in reducing road accident casualties associated with drunk driving, but a limit or restriction on sales of alcohol during long holiday breaks would be more supportive of the law. New restrictions on consumption and sale of alcohol in factories will take
effect 90 days from Monday's endorsement of a separate law.

Drunk-driving law tightened - The Nation

**Stamp** · 10th August 2012 08:26

Originally Posted by cluezo

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday.

The penalties will also be imposed on drinkers in vehicles parked on sidewalks or shoulders of public roads, including sois, regardless of whether the vehicles are moving, OAB director Samarn Footrakool said.

So, I take it that as of now we've to drink alcohol outside the car or when not sitting on the motorsai.

**purplesmoker** · 10th August 2012 16:44

completely useless, as long as u can still pay off the cops nothing will change

**tomcat** · 10th August 2012 17:01

Originally Posted by cluezo

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine

...not really true, is it: occupants of late model Mercedes, BMWs, and other expensive cars need have no fear...they will continue to slaughter with carefree abandon and be rescued from any penalty by their families...I'm surprised the newspaper neglected to note that in the article...

**Thaitanium** · 10th August 2012 17:01

Originally Posted by cluezo

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel

Brilliant...so the message is clear...do your drinking before you drive...

**goo_stewart** · 10th August 2012 18:02

Steady there lads, we can still drink in our vehicles - just make sure they are sitting outside your house. That is what the law says, I don't see the problem.