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Deputy PM Suthep gives flowers to Phuket Police Chief Pekad Tantipong
Deputy PM Suthep gives flowers to Phuket Police Chief Pekad Tantipong
Photo by phuketwan.com
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Injured Phuket Police Chief Neglected Seatbelt

By Chutima Sidasathian

Sunday, August 1, 2010
PHUKET'S police chief holds no grudge against the driver of the vehicle that collided with his and put him in hospital yesterday.

Major General Pekad Tantipong sat up in bed today at Phuket International Hospital and greeted VIP visitors, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban.

The major general had been on his way to the Amanpuri Resort, where Khun Suthep was staying, visiting Phuket for the Democrat MP's congress on Phuket this weekend.

He aimed to check security in operation on the resort's headland in Surin before continuing on to Phuket airport to greet the Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was due to arrive soon after 9am.

Khun Suthep was able to tell Major General Pekad today that security for the MPs' gathering at the Merlin Beach Resort south of Patong had been well-managed. There were no problems.

Major General Pekad said he hoped to be back on duty later this week after an operation for a dislocated hip. He admitted to Khun Suthep that of the three people in the vehicle, two were wearing seatbelts. He was not.

The collision took place at the Thepkasattri Road-bypass road intersection about 6.30am on Saturday. Major General Pekad's vehicle was going straight to Surin and the other vehicle, containing just the driver, turned into its path.

The Democrat MPs' gathering on Phuket was wrapping up this afternoon with VIP escort convoys speeding departing guests to the airport after the weekend gabfest.
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Comments

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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

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Impressive that he admitted this.

Posted by VFaye on August 1, 2010 22:57

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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

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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

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Has he been fined for not wearing the seatbelt?

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

Editor Comment:

People will ask this question. Bearing in mind that he's the chief of police, that he has confessed to the Deputy Prime Minister, and that he will be in hospital for a little longer yet, I think the penalty is sufficient. Don't you?

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Priceless. Did he get fined?

Posted by kelvin on August 2, 2010 12:39

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

Posted by chris on August 2, 2010 14:15

Editor Comment:

I think you better read what I said. A good rule is never to imagine what's been said. Read it. Believe it.

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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

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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

Editor Comment:

The fact is, William, a lot of positives have come from this minor transgression. The chief of police has proved he is human, just like the rest of us, and prone to the lapses we all have from time to time. Being the kind of man that he is, he has acknowledged his error. By admitting his lapse to the deputy prime minister, he has done much to make sure others do not make the same mistake. Good laws are administered fairly and with compassion. The punishment in this case has more than fitted the ''crime.'' Justice has been done.
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