249 youngsters arrested for motorcyle street racing

Wisit Wisitsora-at said police arrested 249 suspects and impounded 427 motorcycles, while the parents of 42 offenders were put on probation and 17 parents were found to have allegedly allowed their children to repeat the offence. Of the detained youth, 167 were charged with illegally modifying their motorbikes.
Wisit said the new zoning law, under which new entertainment venues would not be allowed near schools, was in the making within 180 days.
Up to 94 offenders in 25 provinces had been found in recent inspections of entertainment venues, he said, adding that 49 had been ordered to close, 62 had their liquor-selling licence revoked and 12 others were caught with illegal licences.
The 35 police officers who reportedly turned a blind eye to the street racing or law-violating entertainment venues were also transferred, he said.
Wisit’s comments came after Justice Minister General Paiboon Khumchaya presided over a meeting yesterday with the committee tasked with implementing the junta’s orders against street racing and entertainment venues.
Paiboon clarified that once the new zoning regulations are implemented, it will not mean that all entertainment venues near schools will be automatically closed. They will be allowed to continue operating, but face permanent closure if found violating the law, he said. The minister added that no new licences would be granted once the regulation is in place.
Those who break laws outside the newly set zones will be punished by a five-year closure, he added.