Mobile ban needs more study
In its weekly meeting yesterday, the Cabinet turned down a proposal to ban people from using mobile phones while driving and requested the Royal Thai Police re-evaluate the impact before resubmitting it for Cabinet consideration.
Deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said the Cabinet had "widely debated" the land-transport draft, which includes a ban on the use of communications devices while driving - except for hands-free models. Netpreeya said many Cabinet members agreed to have the police carry out more in-depth studies to back the amendment before it was resubmitted to the Cabinet. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjittha told reporters the Cabinet approved a criminal-law amendment not to punish juvenile delinquents under the age of 12. The current criminal code applies to children under seven. Charnchai said the move was in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Cabinet also gave the nod for delinquents aged 12-15 not to be punished and authorised the court to "warn the children" and call their parents to ensure the children did not commit a crime for three years - or else the parents would have to pay up to Bt1,000 for each crime. The current law applies to children under 14.
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