Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya traffic police have launched a crackdown on
wrong-way drivers, promising to arrest and detain dangerous motorists rather
than simply fine them.
From north to south along Sukhumvit Road, police April 25
arrested four Thais and an Iraqi all for driving their motorbikes against
traffic. Taken into custody were Talek Ajnan Soleh, 49; Chuengchai
Phetla-oo, 30; Somjit Intha, 30; Jirapon Onnsorn, 25; and Vichai Thachalee,
27.
All were charged with reckless driving and various
traffic offenses and jailed to face charges later before a judge. All their
motorbikes were also impounded.
It’s unknown whether this was just a one-day sweep or the
start of a serious effort to confront traffic scofflaws, but traffic
inspector Lt. Col. Sanchai Thinwongdaeng admitted that the usual practice of
officers merely ticketing drivers and releasing them was not proving to be
much of a deterrent.
