Thread: Former Political Strongman Newin Chidchob Fined for Riding 'Big Bike' in Speed Lane

This photo of Mr Newin stopped by police in full biker clothes was widely shared on the social network.


(photo from Buriram Post)

Thai PBS News
June 19, 2015

Pathumthani police were caught by surprise yesterday when they stopped a group of "Big Bikers" riding into the speed lane restricted only for cars on Phaholyothin road yesterday and found one among the six bikers was a former political strongman Newin Chidchob, now president of Thailand Premier League soccer team, the Buriram United Club.

After police on the highway waved their hands for the group to pull by the side of the speed lane and informed that they violated traffic law because the lane they rode into was not allowed for motorcycles.

As one of the bikers took out his crash helmet, the police officer was caught by surprise when he recognised the biker is Mr Newin Chidchob, the 57-year-old former deputy agriculture minister of the defunct Thai Rak Thai party.

“He accepted the offence and politely said he didn’t know the lane is for motorcars and not motorcycles. He even smilingly said he was sorry for that,” traffic police inspector of Klong Luang police station Pol Maj Sarayut Sangthong told Channel 3 this morning.

The officer said Mr Newin then told police to perform his duty straightforwardly as he was ready to pay the fine for traffic violation, while promising that he wouldn’t breach traffic law next time he rides to Bangkok again. He also said they were riding home in Buriram from Bangkok.

Newin and five of his colleagues were then given tickets to pay fines at Klong Luang police station. They later rode to the police station where they were each fined 400 baht. After paying the fine, the former veteran politician returned to the street riding back to his home 350 kilometres away in Buriram province.

Photo of Mr Newin stopped by police on the highway in full biker clothes was widely shared on the social network with many posters lauding the performance of the police and also the politeness of the country’s leading football team president. They admired the police to dare arresting and fining the former strongman while also praising Mr Newin for not showing arrogance or using his name to seek any reprieve of the law.

Earlier before returning to his home town in Buriram, Mr Newin joined in a television programme discussing the street racing problem by “Dek Van”. Newin was said to be a man who helped to resolve and put an end to street racing in Buriram definitely by offering teenagers to race free of charge at the I-mobile International Race Circuit nightly from 7 pm till midnight with conditions that they must wear crash helmets and strictly abused by traffic laws.

At present there is no illegal street racing by teenagers in Buriram as he and local authorities would drastically deal with them for violation.

Newin fined 400 baht for traffic violation - Thai PBS English News

Not earth shattering news, but made me wonder why Thailand apparently has no exception in their rules that would allow 'big bikes' to use the speed lane.

The law that motorbikes must keep left, is it a genuine law, as in the highway code? I hear so many conflicting stories that the law was made up and has since stood.

If it is law, it should be changed so that only small bikes - 150 cc or less? - are banned from car lanes.

A win-win. Well done to all involved. A good example set.

nice to see the thai policemen still know their place, waiting until newin gave them permission to fine him.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

The law that motorbikes must keep left, is it a genuine law, as in the highway code?

I believe so.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

I hear so many conflicting stories that the law was made up and has since stood.

I think it was to keep scooters that were too slow for cars (originally) out of the cars way. There's no doubt that that point is mute now, but I reckon it's kept in place so the poorly paid standard policeman can (when it's his monthly go) make his little bonus money.

Apparently it's the highest grossing daily fine in Thailand (motorbikes not on the left).

That must be the part of Thailand where they drive on the right side of the road.

Had me confused at first, but he's pulled over on the left side of the main highway. That's the frontage road to his left on the other side of the concrete barrier.

Damn, I was hoping that was another staged photo stunt outed.

Originally Posted by JetsetBkk

If it is law, it should be changed so that only small bikes - 150 cc or less? - are banned from car lanes.

Brilliant logic, so anyone who cannot afford a car, or does not use one enough to justify buying it is relegated to the gutter lane? That sounds more like Thai class snobbery than a traffic safety rule.

Sad societal commentary, when a well-known personality obey the law - and that's worthy of a press release.

I asked this sorta question a few weeks ago, If you ride big bikes and more than keep up with the flow of traffic, why not be allowed on car type highways. But then, some of those tricked up little bikes get fairlly moving as well, so who decides, who can and who cant,,,,,, is that why they say no bikes, it eliminates the confusion, as I am now.

A very outdated stupid law

Originally Posted by BobR

Originally Posted by JetsetBkk

If it is law, it should be changed so that only small bikes - 150 cc or less? - are banned from car lanes.

Brilliant logic, so anyone who cannot afford a car, or does not use one enough to justify buying it is relegated to the gutter lane? That sounds more like Thai class snobbery than a traffic safety rule.

Yes, it is brilliant - get the slower bikes out of the fast lane. WTF is wrong with that?

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

I asked this sorta question a few weeks ago, If you ride big bikes and more than keep up with the flow of traffic, why not be allowed on car type highways. But then, some of those tricked up little bikes get fairlly moving as well, so who decides, who can and who cant,,,,,, is that why they say no bikes, it eliminates the confusion, as I am now.

Yes, makes life simpler to ban them all. And then you get someone like BobR who blames it on Thai class snobbery. Jesus wept.

Actually the best part of this not-newsworthy article is the last paragraph;

Earlier before returning to his home town in Buriram, Mr Newin joined in a television programme discussing the street racing problem by “Dek Van”. Newin was said to be a man who helped to resolve and put an end to street racing in Buriram definitely by offering teenagers to race free of charge at the I-mobile International Race Circuit nightly from 7 pm till midnight with conditions that they must wear crash helmets and strictly abused by traffic laws.

Before you ask, nope I have no idea what the bold text actually means.

Still it was a good idea to get the kids together in a sort of supervised place where they can race.

I wonder who has the food/drinks concession there?