Regional News
Bangkok: 12 Drivers Arrested in One Day for Playing Pokémon Go in Traffic
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BANGKOK – Thai traffic police arrested 12 motorists on Bangkok’s roads yesterday as part of their Pokémon Traffic No Go campaign.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn said four drivers were nabbed for using their cellphone while driving a violation of Article 43(9) of the Land Traffic Act.
The campaign was launched to prevent and reduce traffic accidents that have been growing since Pokémon Go was released in Thailand on Aug 6.
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Pol Lt-colonel Bowornphob Soonthornraekhasaid the campaign was being implemented on 10 major roads in Bangkok, including Rama IV, Sathon, Vibhavadi Rangsit, Phahonyothin, Sukhumwit, Phayathai, Petchburi, Henri Dunant, and Rama I roads where traffic volume is high. He said that Petchburi and Phayathai roads are always busy and officers have to enforce the law more strictly to prevent accidents.
The project not only [targets] anybody using phones while driving, but also the pedestrians chasing Pokémon carelessly until they are on roads, possibly causing traffic accidents, he said.
If officers spot anyone using phones while driving, they will take photos as evidence to impose a 400-1,000 baht (RM46-RM116) fine, while pedestrians not walking on footpaths will be warned according to the Traffic Act
By Kornkamon Aksorndech – The Nation