Patong police intensify crackdown on drink driving in Phuket

Patong Police, located in Phuket’s prominent tourist town, ramped up their efforts against drink driving, arresting nine people over the past five days for their reckless behaviour.

Among those detained were a mix of Thai and foreign nationals, including 34 year old Spanish man Cabria Gonzales, who was charged for drink driving last Thursday after he was stopped between 1am and 3am at the football field intersection on Phra Mettha Road. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was recorded at 0.06%, which exceeded the legal limit in Thailand.

At the same time, a 35 year old Russian man, Iskander Sukhayil, was also charged with drink driving, with a BAC reading of 0.096%. A 48 year old Thai national, Chanasibthit, was likewise charged after he returned a BAC of 0.075 at the Patong Hill Intersection, Phra Mettha Rd.

A 27 year old Indian man, Dwayne Lee Dowling, was charged with drink driving at the Loma Intersection on Thaweewong Road with a BAC of 0.174%, significantly higher than the legal limit. A 33 year old, Chinese man, Lai Qingxun, was charged with driving while intoxicated after he was stopped at the football field intersection at Hat Patong Rd. at 1.30am last Friday and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.089%.

Drink driving

An unidentified 40 year old Australian man was charged with drink driving after he was stopped at the same location and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.148%. A 52 year old, Israeli man, Omer Efrat, was also charged with drink driving after he was stopped at the same location and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of 0.068%.

An Indian man, Mr Dal, was arrested for drink driving after he was stopped on Hat Patong Road, 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%. A 24 year old British man, Andrew, was charged with drink driving after he was stopped at the football field intersection on Hat Patong Road and tested positive for alcohol with a BAC of just 0.054%.

The legal BAC in Thailand is 0.05%, or 0.5 grammes per litre of blood for drivers who have had their licenses for over five years, and 0.02%, or 0.2 grammes, for newer drivers who have had their licenses for less than five years.

Elsewhere, Patong Police reported a series of arrests for other offences, including the arrest of a 35 year old Nigerian for overstaying in the country at the end of Bangla Rd at 4.45pm yesterday. An Iranian woman was arrested at a Patong hotel last Saturday and charged with theft at night.

A Thai man was charged for illegally selling fireworks on Patong Beach, another Thai man was arrested for possession of meth, and a Nanthawat was arrested on Bangla Road for illegal gambling on online slots.

In response to a complaint about foreigners working illegally at a barber shop, officers inspected the shop but found no illegal activity. However, a complaint concerning sunbed and beach umbrella operators selling alcohol to tourists noted that operators had been asked to stop, and the matter has been reported to Patong Municipality.

Lastly, Patong Police reported a lost wedding ring found at the Illuzion nightclub on Bangla Road. Anyone claiming the ring is theirs is encouraged to contact Patong Police Station, reported Phuket News.