“In every area [on the island] there are a large number of citizens and tourists, both Thai and foreign, attending events,” Governor Sophon said yesterday (Dec 28).
He listed many of the large-scale events being held across the island, including the Discover Phuket Countdown event in Phuket Town, the Dee Phuket Festival at Saphan Hin, the New Year Countdown event in Patong, the ‘Phuket Countdown’ event by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) at Karon Beach as well as the slew of major celebration events being held by shopping malls and resorts across the island.
“Therefore, we ask all parties to give importance to taking care of citizens and tourists in the safety of life and property by integrating all parties together, both local government departments and police officers, in taking care of convenience and security throughout the 2024 New Year holiday,” Governor Sophon said.
“At the same time, I would like to ask for cooperation from citizens and tourists. Cooperate in complying with legal regulations and follow the instructions of officials without violating or committing any crimes or offences or causing an impact or causing distress to others,” he added.
“This is especially when using cars and using the road. You must be more careful than during normal times. Since there are approximately 50,000 tourists traveling into Phuket province each day, we request that all departments provide increased security,” the Governor said.
DRUNK DRIVING
Phuket officials yesterday (Dec 28) launched the ‘Seven Days’ safety campaign for the New Year holidays, with special focus on preventing road accidents, namely through campaigning against drunk driving.
Patong Municipality’s warning against drunk driving said plainly, “Don’t Drive Drunk”.
In Thailand it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% or more. (Thai police report BAC readings as milligrammes per decilitres, hence 0.05% is reported as 50mg/dL.)
The Patong Municipality notice warned that drunk drivers faced a fine of B5,000 to B20,000 and up to one year in prison if caught driving while drunk.
The light fine warned by Patong Municipality is in line with changes reiterated last year, with drivers who commit the same offence within two years facing a fine of B50,000 to B100,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.
However, drunk drivers who cause injuries or deaths of other people can easily face much harsher penalties. (See image gallery.)
Under the revised Road Traffic Act (2007), drunk drivers who causes physical or mental injury to other people face one to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of B20,000-100,000 and suspension of their licence of up to one year or even revoked
Drunk drivers who cause serious injury to other people face two to six years’ imprisonment, a fine of B40,000-120,000 and suspension of their licence of up to two years or even revoked.
Drunk drivers who cause the death of another person face three to 10 years in prison, a fine of B60,000-200,000 and their licence revoked.
CLUB BREATHALYSERS
To help combat drunk driving now that nightlife venues in selected tourist areas may close at 4am, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delisted breathalysers as medical devices so that nightlife venue operators may use them on patrons, or provide them to patrons as a service.
As an aside, and especially for visitors to note, in Thailand passengers are not allowed to drink in any vehicle, drinking is not allowed in stationary vehicles parked on roads and streets, and police have the authority to stop and breathalyse any driver at any time.