Police want elimination of street-racing on national agenda
POLICE WILL propose that the elimination of street racing be put on the national agenda with the implementation of urgent measures such as setting up checkpoints from midnight to 6am for the next couple of years, police spokesman Pol Lieutenant Prawut Tha
Relevant agencies will today discuss other possible measures, including inspections of motorcycle-parts shops, the results of which will be tabled at a meeting next Monday presided over by Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, Prawut said.
“Police have proposed initial solutions such as raising fines from Bt500 to Bt5,000 so they will think carefully before committing the offence, or impounding the vehicles used in a race, as well as proposing that the [minimum age for driver’s licences] be raised from the current 15, as people of that age might not be mature enough,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mim Khongyoo, 27, apologised to police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung and Prawut. He had posted an online message accusing volunteers in the “Ratchaphruek Model” operation, in which 425 racers were nabbed in Bangkok on May 30, of stealing motorcycle parts.
Prawut replied that police would not press any charge against Mim but would go after those posting threats against the volunteers, as well as those administering pages providing information about police checkpoints.
A special police unit yesterday dispatched undercover officers to inspect 10 Bangkok locations known for motorcycle parts and accessories in a bid to solve the street-racing problem.
Meanwhile, Panadda Chamnansuk, a lecturer from Kasetsart University’s faculty of social science, said the issue of street-racing youths stemmed from the government’s failure to facilitate the proper development of children and encourage youth to pursue their aptitudes.