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Drunk driving arrests continue in Patong

PHUKET: Patong Police are continuing their campaign against drunk drivers in Phuket’s key tourism town with nine arrests for the dangerous behaviour in the past five days.

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By The Phuket News

Tuesday 30 April 2024 01:27 PM


 

Spanish national Cabria Gonzales, 34, was charged for drunk driving after he was stopped at “football field intersection” on Phra Mettha Rd between 1am and 3am last Thursday (Apr 25). He tested positive for alcohol with a reading of 60 “milligrams percent” (a BAC of 0.06), Patogn Police reported.

During that same period Russian national Iskander Sukhayil, 35, was charged for drunk driving after he tested positive for alcohol with a BAC reading of 0.096.

That same day Thai national “Mr Chanasibthit”, 48, was charged after he returned a BAC of 0.075 at the “Patong Hill Intersection” Phra Mettha Rd, while Indian national Dwayne Lee Dowling, 27, was charged for drunk driving at the Loma Intersection on Thaweewong Rd with a BAC of 0.174.

Chinese nationalLai Qingxun, 33, was charged with driving while intoxicated after he was stopped at the “football field intersection” at Hat Patong Rd at 1:30am last Friday (Apr 26) and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.089.

At 3am the next day, last Saturday (Apr 27), a 40-year-old Australian man, not named in the police post online, was charged with drunk driving after he was stopped at the same location and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.148.

Earlier, at 1am, last Friday, Patong Police charged Israeli national Omer Efrat, 52, for driving while intoxicated after he was stopped at the same location and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.068.

On Sunday (Apr 28), Indian national “Mr Dal” was arrested for drunk driving after he was stopped on Hat Patong Rd, at a checkpoint set up in front of Samnaksong Laem Phet (Laem Phet Temple), at 2:15am and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.104.

Between 1am and 2am yesterday (Apr 29), British national “Mr Andrew”, 24, was charged for drunk driving after he was stopped at the football field intersection on Hat Patong Rd and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of just 0.054.

The legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in Thailand is 0.05%, or 0.5 grams per liter of blood for drivers who have had their licenses for over five years, and 0.02%, or 0.2 grams, for newer drivers who have had their license for less than five years.

Meanwhile, Patong Police have reported a slew of arrests of other offences, including the arrest of a 35-year-old Nigerian at the end of Bangla Rd at 4:45pm yesterday for overstaying in the country. The length of overstay was not reported.

Also, an Iranian woman (not named) was arrested at a Patong hotel last Saturday (Apr 27) and charged with “theft at night”.

A Thai man (not named) was charged for illegally selling fireworks on Patong Beach, another Thai man (also not named) was arrested for possession of meth ‒ both methamphetamine pills (ya bah) and crystal meth (ya ice) ‒ and a “Mr Nanthawat” was arrested on Bangla Rd for illegal gambling on online slots.

Investigating a complaint posted on the “Patong is Evil” Facebook group that foreigners were working illegally at a barber shop, officers inspected the shop and found no foreigners workign illegally there.

However, investigating a different complaint about sun bed and beach umbrella operators selling alcohol to tourists, a report by Patong Police did not confirm any legal action, but noted that the operators had been asked to stop. Patong Municipality has been informed of the practice, Patong Police said.

Patong Police yesterday also reported what appeared to be a wedding ring that was handed in after it was found as lost property at the Illuzion nightclub on Bangla Rd. Any person believing the ring is theirs is urged to contact Patong Police Station.