Phuket Nightlife

Sickdog · #1 12-11-2004, 14:53

Hi all. First post...
I was driving from Karon to Patong last night about 1am when the plod stopped me on the hill before the Safari. I had a helmet on but they didn't ask to see a licence. Instead the rozzer made a drinking gesture with his hand and said "Drink whisky?". I wanted to say "That's very nice of you, I'll have a double" but instead mumbled something about having had a couple of beers and he let me on my way.

On the way back at about 3am I was stopped in Karon at the corner before the roundabout. Again a drinking gesture was made, again I said I'd had a few beers, again I was let on my way.

I can only guess they're looking for obviously drunk people and they'll breathalise them. Anyone got any better idea of what they're up to?

Nicke · #2 12-11-2004, 15:17

Look like they begin crackdown on drunk driving, and I guess while talking with you they look how you act.

In the past I only know they had checks outside Phuket City. I wrote about a guy in Patong who had a night out in Phuket City and had to do alco test and went to jail. He said it was his worst experience ever. (It was about 6 months ago)

Werwolf · #3 12-11-2004, 16:56

Last December it was the same!
Strange controlls aginst drunk driving.
I guess they start again a campagne with the beginning of the high season

steve w · #4 12-11-2004, 17:47

last nov outside kata they were stopping all farangs no helmet and on the spot fines issued 1000 bht

hugos · #5 12-11-2004, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve w

last nov outside kata they were stopping all farangs no helmet and on the spot fines issued 1000 bht

this happens quite often.

But 1000 bath? Usually 500, isn`t it?

eric-the-viking · #6 13-11-2004, 00:10

but isnt thatonly for the person in control of the bike?
im sure the passenger/s who dont wear helmets neverget fined

zeaker · #7 13-11-2004, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric-the-viking

but isnt thatonly for the person in control of the bike?
im sure the passenger/s who dont wear helmets neverget fined

I was a passanger without a helmet back in april, I didn't get a fine when we where stoped

Nicke · #8 13-11-2004, 02:53

In the past the fine for not wearing helmet was 300 baht in Patong and 200 baht in Phuket City.

Tarzan · #9 13-11-2004, 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bono

Ok then it have gone up it was 200 in juli in patong, lol only 50% up

I got fined for not having drivinglicence for motorcycle. 300bath..
The police took my drivinglicence,gave me a note, i drove down to the police station and payed the fine,back on the motobike to the policeofficer that had my licence and showed him the reciept i got. He gave me back my drivinglicence and said "have a nice evening, drive carefully"....

Was stopped a couple of times in the traffic controll by the gocart. They only looked at it and said thanks and let me go...

scubamatt · #10 13-11-2004, 10:42

If you have a helmet with you and are not wearing it, the charge is more than not having a helmet at all. A form of stupidity tax I presume.

LivinLOS · #11 13-11-2004, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzan(sweden)

I got fined for not having drivinglicence for motorcycle. 300bath..
The police took my drivinglicence,gave me a note, i drove down to the police station and payed the fine,back on the motobike to the policeofficer that had my licence and showed him the reciept i got. He gave me back my drivinglicence and said "have a nice evening, drive carefully"....

Was stopped a couple of times in the traffic controll by the gocart. They only looked at it and said thanks and let me go...

Paint me confused... If you didnt have a license, how did you leave him your license to go to the cop shop ??

Nicke · #12 13-11-2004, 13:26

I guess he took Tarzan's national driver license, it is valid for car but not for motorbike. (In his case, I have both car & mc on mine)

This is also varying, sometimes national licenses is not valid in Thailand and lately the police seems to accept it again. I should renew my Thai licenses which are expired to be on the safe side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Paint me confused... If you didnt have a license, how did you leave him your license to go to the cop shop ??

stevem · #13 13-11-2004, 16:02

I have no problems with them checking for drunk drivers. It is dangerous not only to yourself, but also other road users, and is stupid.

andy50 · #14 13-11-2004, 18:06

i never drink and drive as i spill my beer !

Tarzan · #15 13-11-2004, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Paint me confused... If you didnt have a license, how did you leave him your license to go to the cop shop ??

As Nicke said, I have a Swedish driving licence for car only..

Was a little fast writing the post and missed that part...

LivinLOS · #16 13-11-2004, 18:20

I only carry my UK lincence with only car market (but have an int with bikes on it but dont carry it) and have never had to pay...

A few times they said I had to pay but I just argued my way out of it..

dawsey · #17 13-11-2004, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

I have no problems with them checking for drunk drivers. It is dangerous not only to yourself, but also other road users, and is stupid.

Sound advise stevem.The other drivers around Patong are bad enough without being half cut yourself.
Around 12 years ago I used to drink and drive,so stupid,driving home gripping the wheel and squinting to focus on the road.Sometimes I used to even wonder how I got home after a good session.Then one night I thought about it and realised how dumb it was.From then on I made a conscious effort to cut right down if I had the car with me.It didnt work though.One night I had 2 pints of Wifebeater (Stella) and thought I was fine.I got stopped doing someone a favour and was over the limit by 2mg.It was enough to lose me my licence for 12months and was that a hardship

But I deserved it.From that day on I have never had a drink and then driven (well 1pint only)
I have spent a fortune on taxis but I have a clear consience that I won't be responsible for injuring or worse someone else.I think the Swedes (and others)have it correct with the no alcohol at all to drive law.It would reduce a lot of misery around the world.

bakhlang_farang · #18 14-11-2004, 18:25

hi do you need to have a drivinglicense for a motorbike like a honda wave or not ?

hugos · #19 14-11-2004, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakhlang_farang

hi do you need to have a drivinglicense for a motorbike like a honda wave or not ?

As far as i know you need a drivinglicense. Although many people ride motobikes without one.