PUBLISHED : 23 Feb 2024 at 04:00
The parents of 10 youths caught in recent motorcycle street racing in Samut Prakan have been charged with allowing their children to engage in reckless, law-breaking behaviour and fined 10,000 baht, assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Samran Nualma said yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Samran revealed this after police investigators arrested 22 suspects for conducting and engaging in street racing, which blocked road traffic under the jurisdiction of Phrasamutr Chedi Police.
The case was forwarded to the court, which ordered the youths to pay a fine of 10,000 baht each and imposed a suspended three-month jail sentence.
Police took the youths to the Juvenile and Family Court, which issued an order for them to undergo a rehabilitation programme in lieu of a criminal charge so as to allow them to redeem themselves and reintegrate into society.
The court also found the parents of the youths guilty of failing to prevent their children from racing on the street and engaging in law-breaking behaviour, causing a public disturbance. The parents were ordered by the court to pay a fine of 10,000 baht under the Child Protection Act. The fine was later halved due to their confessions.
Pol Lt Gen Samran added the parents must also make sure the youths comply with the rehab programme. If the parents and their children violate the terms of the rehab, they will be subject to criminal action.
The assistant police chief said parents cannot neglect their legal duty and responsibility to their children.