What message for road safety does this send out when the head of police can't be bothered wearing a seatbelt? He is lucky he got away with a dislocation.

Posted by William Dale on August 1, 2010 20:24

Impressive that he admitted this.

Posted by VFaye on August 1, 2010 22:57

Actually William it sends out a huge message, if you understand Thais. By having the 'face' to admit what happened, it may make others think twice.

Every cloud has a silver lining, except to the doom and gloomers.

Posted by Mister Ree on August 2, 2010 10:36

I hope the Chief fully recovers and I am sure he has learned the hard way from his error in judgment. This is a bigger problem the just the Chief not wearing his seatbelt, however. I was driving my car on a very narrow two lane road approaching a curve with a two man traffic police motorbike in front of me when a car dangerously passed on my right across the yellow into oncoming motorbikes and even another car causing everyone to make quick changes to avoid a head on collision. I beeped my horn as the car was passing and the two police on the motorbike looked back as the car passed me and cut in alongside them and headed up the road collecting the 50 meter prize for nearly killing people. The two officers then slowed to give me a mean stare for using my horn I pointed to the crazy car weaving down the road, and they just shrugged their shoulders and drove on, passing the car at the next light and saying and doing nothing.
When this attitude changes, things will start to change for the better in Phuket but not until, I am afraid.

Posted by mike on August 2, 2010 10:52

Has he been fined for not wearing the seatbelt?

Posted by Fritz Pinguin on August 2, 2010 11:49

Priceless. Did he get fined?

Posted by kelvin on August 2, 2010 12:39

@editor: so you think police are above the law?

Posted by chris on August 2, 2010 14:15

I am also very impressed by Major General Pekad, to admit his error in judgement. A little thing we all do too often. I know, when in Thailand, I suddenly do not wear the safety belt a lot. If at all.

Thanks to Mr Pekad's example, I will make sure everyone in my car will put on the thing, even while driving a little bit around in Phuket.

Best wishes for full recovery to him.

Posted by Lena on August 2, 2010 16:36

Actually Mr Ree I don't want or need to understand car safety be it in Thailand or anywhere else a seatbelt is built into the car for safety if you ignore this and don't put it on, you only have your self to blame in the event of you exiting your vehicle through the window screen. The fact is police chief or not he committed a crime, and like everyone else should pay the same penalty.

Posted by William Dale on August 2, 2010 22:51