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Pattaya: 20,000 baht fine for refusing to take a breathalyzer test – the risk is high!
Police checkpoints in Pattaya: alcohol testing, heavy fines and the importance of safe traffic conditions for tourists and locals.
Pattaya: 20,000 baht fine for refusing to take a breathalyzer test – the risk is high!
The current saying in Pattaya is: “One beer too many can be expensive!” Police have introduced increased traffic controls to curb drinking and driving. The checkpoints are particularly common in popular areas like Jomtien, and officers conduct rigorous alcohol testing. Anyone who refuses to take this test must expect a hefty fine of 20,000 baht, which is of course painfully costly for many. As the Pattaya Mail reported, refusing to take the test is considered an admission of guilt.
However, enforcement of controls could not be more inconsistent. While drivers are often simply waved through, motorcyclists without helmets are stopped. This shows that there is still room for improvement here. But anyone who evades the alcohol test will not only have to expect a fine. There is also the risk of court dates, the vehicle being confiscated and the driver's license being revoked. A clear case of: it's better to insist too much on the tests than to run into the open knife afterwards.
Risks for road users
Drunk driving poses a significant danger to all road users. In the already congested city of Pattaya, the influence of alcohol on the number of accidents cannot be ignored. With this campaign, the police want to spread the message: “If you drink, you don’t drive.” Foreign tourists in particular are often unfamiliar with local laws and have to be wary of possible fines and legal consequences.
A cost-effective and safe alternative is to use ride-hailing services such as Grab, which are widely available in Pattaya. Compared to the fine, the cost of a ride home seems almost ridiculously low. In a city where fun and partying are often the focus, it's important to have a good hand and ensure a safe return journey. After all, no one wants to end their lovely evening in the police station.
With these new regulations, the city wants to help increase safety on the roads and prevent accidents. I guess everyone says: “One more beer or 20,000 baht?”