Drunk BMW Driver Crashes in Phang Nga, Flees Scene, and Offers Bribe to Police

On Sunday, May 26, a foreign couple in a grey BMW crashed into a road construction vehicle and a local's car on the Khok Kloi-Phuket Road in Phang Nga, leading to a series of events that raise concerns about drink driving and corruption. The couple, who were visibly intoxicated, attempted to flee the scene but were stopped by witnesses, who then contacted the police. After a brief investigation, the foreign man driving the vehicle allegedly offered the police 10,000 baht to drop the case, but the officers refused and took the couple to Khok Kloi Police Station for further action.

Key Takeaways:

• The incident occurred on May 26 at 11:25 am on the Khok Kloi-Phuket Road in Phang Nga, where a foreign couple in a grey BMW crashed into a road construction vehicle and a local's car.
• The couple, who appeared intoxicated, attempted to flee the scene but were stopped by witnesses and later arrested by police.
• During the investigation, the foreign man driving the vehicle offered the police 10,000 baht to drop the case, but the officers refused, leading to further legal action.
• The man may face charges under Section 78 of the Land Transport Act for causing damage to another person's property while driving, punishable by up to three months' imprisonment, a fine of 2,000-10,000 baht, or both.
• If the man's blood alcohol level is confirmed, he may face an additional charge for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants, punishable by up to one year's imprisonment, a fine of 5,000-20,000 baht, or both.
• A similar incident occurred on April 27 in Phuket, where a British man crashed a white BMW into a roadside restaurant, claiming a cat ran in front of his vehicle. The British man and his girlfriend sustained minor injuries, but CCTV footage and the results of his alcohol test were not released to the public.

Statistics:

• 10,000 baht: The amount of money the foreign man attempted to bribe the police with.
• 2,000-10,000 baht: The fine range for the offence of causing damage to another person's property while driving under Section 78 of the Land Transport Act.
• 3 months: The maximum imprisonment term for causing damage to another person's property while driving under Section 78 of the Land Transport Act.
• 5,000-20,000 baht: The fine range for the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants under Section 43(2) of the Land Transport Act.
• 1 year: The maximum imprisonment term for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants under Section 43(2) of the Land Transport Act.

Sources:

• Phuket Times
• Land Transport Act (Sections 78 and 43(2))