Paiboon backs strict police handling of street racers

“Don’t let your acts of good intention become an illegal thing or public disturbance,” he said. 

Paiboon also said he had instructed special teams of administrative officials and troops to help police in inspecting entertainment venues and computer-game shops to prevent vice among young people. 

He also urged members of the public to help monitor and alert the authorities to any entertainment venue or computer-game shop that “intoxicated” young people with vice or operated beyond legal times and let the young gather there. The minister warned that responsible officials would be punished if they let such places exist in their areas. Meanwhile, police took 71 street-racing suspects to Bangkok North Municipal Court yesterday morning for public prosecutors to indict them. The court gave them a two-month suspended jail term each later yesterday. 

Another 39 persons under 18 were due to be prosecuted at the Central Juvenile and Family Court later in the afternoon. 

All suspects face charges of reckless motorcycle riding (punishable by up to three months in jail and/or a fine of Bt2,000-Bt10,000) and other traffic-law violations such as failing to present a driver’s licence, failing to wear a safety helmet and riding motorcycles without complete parts (or with modified parts). 

These suspects were among 361 motorcyclists intercepted on Sunday while en route to Nakhon Nayok province for a “charity and tourism” activity.