BANGKOK – Thai traffic police rounded up 42 motorists for playing Pokemon Go behind the wheel on the first day of crackdowns on 10 main Bangkok streets.
Bangkok traffic police arrested 42 motorists on the first day of the “Pokemon Traffic No Go” campaign Monday.
Acting Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn said 18 drivers were nabbed on Sukhumvit Road, nine on Rama IV Road and four on Yaowarat Road for using their mobile phones while driving.
Reuters, AFP
He said the arrested drivers face a fine of between 400 baht (US$11) and 1,000 baht (US$28) each for using their cellphone while driving, as it is in violation of Article 43(9) of the Land Traffic Act.
“Officers contact and coordinate with each other before arresting the motorists. Though the motorists were waiting at the traffic light and their cars were stationary, it is still illegal for them to pull out their phone and catch a Pokemon,” he said.
The anti-Pokemon Go campaign is being implemented on 10 major roads in Bangkok, including Rama IV, Sathorn, Vibhavadi Rangsit, Phaholyothin, Sukhumvit, Phaya Thai, Petchaburi, Henri Dunant, and Rama I.
The volume of traffic is high on these roads and the campaign aims to prevent accidents that can be caused by drivers distracted by Pokemon Go players.
AFP, Reuters
