Girly Berry star on DUI charge after night out
Singer Piya 'Giftza' Pongkulapa, of popular girl band Girly Berry, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) at 1.45am Tuesday at a traffic checkpoint on Pattanakarn road, police said.
- Published: 11/09/2012 at 02:57 PM
- Writer: Online Reporters
According to police, the 28-year-old pop singer initially refused to blow into a breathalyzer and told a traffic police officer that she "is a celebrity and knows many senior police officials".
Giftza, who was with her female friend, refused to leave the vehicle.
Later, another car arrived at the checkpoint. Two men emerged from the vehicle and criticised the officer and the press who had gathered. They were believed to be Giftza's friends.
She then got out of the driver's seat and moved to rest inside her friend's car.
The pop singer later emerged to talk to the press and police, and admitted that she had been drinking alcohol at an entertainment venue in Thong Lor from 10pm Monday to 1am Tuesday.
She told reporters, while still drinking a lot of water, that she wanted to be sober before blowing into the breath tester because she did not want to appear in court.
"He (the officer) told me to blow into the machine, but I feel that I'm not in an appropriate condition," Giftza told reporters. "And when I'm sober, I'll blow into it."
When a reporter asked her to give a breath sample, she said with a faint smile that she would need to drink three bottles of water first.
"I know (that drunk driving is illegal) but I personally feel that I'm not that drunk," she told reporters.
She said she drank only three glasses of alcohol and intended to take a short rest when her car arrived at the checkpoint.
Giftza denied that she contacted a "high-ranking police official" to help her, as claimed by the traffic policeman.
According to the officer, Giftza handed him her phone saying that he could talk to the "high-ranking official". The officer said he did not feel pressured because he was only doing his duty.
She later gave a breath sample after the police officer insisted that she must do as the law requires.
The breathalyser test showed that her breath alcohol level was .082, exceeding the legal .05 limit for driving a vehicle, police said.
Police said Giftza was released on 20,000 baht bail and will be summonsed to appear at Khlon Ton police station at 8.30am Wednesday before the case is forwarded to Phra Khanong Provincial Court.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 12/09/2012 at 09:02 AM
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The thing is these little snobs have been getting away with it for too long. They transgress the law with impunity. Just last week, the young Ferrari driver kid kills a cop, and still he is walking free.
Had she not been stopped, she might have killed someone too.
Accountability...accountability...accountability
- Discussion 2 : 11/09/2012 at 11:54 PM
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Just disgusting. I don't mind the little young girl, spoiled brat mentality. I am disgusted by the attitude. No accountability. The belief she is above everybody else. No sense of rule of common law. And, I would add that presumably being a buddhist, the lack of respect for the concept of karma.
- Discussion 3 : 11/09/2012 at 10:36 PM
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The immoral stink starts at the top and goes all the way down .
- Discussion 4 : 11/09/2012 at 10:34 PM
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What amazes me is that the police allowed her to get away with these antics. But then, we all know the BIBs - scared of who they offend. Normally, refuse a breath test, whip on the handcuffs, off to the police station for a blood test. Standard procedure. Sorry, I got it wrong. Refuse a breath test, claim you know people, cops get scared. Hmmm ... Girly Berry - sexy lass - sugar daddy. The prosecution withdraws its case, m'Lud.
- Discussion 5 : 11/09/2012 at 09:54 PM
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All comments against her arrogant attitude are clear and justified. I just can call her names, but I'm afraid that the Bangkok Post won't publish them... But you all know what I mean... What's the next step? Crying at a press conference like happened before..?
- Discussion 6 : 11/09/2012 at 08:44 PM
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I think the celebrity/wealth issue is irrelevant... Not taking responsibility is a common Thai trait, regardless of class or earnings.
Drunk Thai youths call police friends to get them off tickets every day. And policemen help out their friends and family all the time... No need for us to act shocked and outraged, we'd all do our utmost to avoid spending a night in a Thai jail cell - and calling 'a friend' would be right at the top of the list.
- Discussion 7 : 11/09/2012 at 08:16 PM
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Pretentious little no-body!!!
Great role model to the Thai youth.
- Discussion 8 : 11/09/2012 at 07:32 PM
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Classic is the only word for the fiasco.Disqualify here from driving for 12 months.Take a refresher course in 12 months time and a driving test that will bring here down to size. What's betting she get away with it.BP take the case on and report.
- Discussion 9 : 11/09/2012 at 07:31 PM
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Refusing a breathalyzer is an automatic admission of guilt in most countries. Another elite Bangkokian that will get a slap on the wrist.
- Discussion 10 : 11/09/2012 at 07:22 PM
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Praise to the traffic police officer who insists to perform his duties impartially. This news sends out a strong deterrent signal to those arrogant celebrities and rich elites that patronage is no more a take it for granted privilege for them.
- Discussion 11 : 11/09/2012 at 07:17 PM
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Well maybe she can name these senior police officers, as if they were going to get her off it then there must be some corruption happening.
- Discussion 12 : 11/09/2012 at 07:01 PM
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Another "Do you know who I am", do you know I have connections Hi-So enraged because they are caught breaking the laws they think do not apply to them. What has happened to Thailand, the people have become so selfish, greedy and corrupt. It is a social sickness when behavior has been learned that the law does not apply to them and they believe they are above everyone else. A year in jail would convince her that she is not above the laws of Thailand. Thailand needs to stop filling jails with the poor and start filling them up with Hi-So's that are the most prudent law breakers. If the police do not dare to arrest these Hi-So's, hire a few farangs to arrest them. Then we would have justice for all as it should be
- Discussion 13 : 11/09/2012 at 06:35 PM
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Yet another irrelevant quasi-celebrity under the impression that they should be allowed to circumvent the law...
That these people contribute absolutely nothing of value to society makes this type of thing that much more frustrating.
- Discussion 14 : 11/09/2012 at 06:34 PM
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If you refuse a breath test on the spot, you are usually carted off to the police station where a doctor will give you a blood test. Standard procedure.
- Discussion 15 : 11/09/2012 at 06:29 PM
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Please read Khun Voranai's column "Yes, We do know who your daddy is" in BP last Sunday, and you'll see a list of examples on (rich and influential) people who don't care about other people's lives and/or property, but who all know "someone" who can take them off the hook. This attitude is really so sad... and so Thai.
- Discussion 16 : 11/09/2012 at 06:10 PM
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Breathtaking ... arrogance!
- Discussion 17 : 11/09/2012 at 06:07 PM
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The police had done a god job but stop short of an immediate arrest for failing to comply to the breath test. Anyway, Just charge her accordingly.
- Discussion 18 : 11/09/2012 at 06:06 PM
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More evidence of how these people think they are above the law ""is a celebrity and knows many senior police officials"." Another waste of space walking on this earth...do us all a favour and jump off.
- Discussion 19 : 11/09/2012 at 05:54 PM
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Choosing a name like Girly Berry should suggest that the members are not likely to be first honours students.
- Discussion 20 : 11/09/2012 at 05:53 PM
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These hi-so snobs are an utter disgrace. Here is a prime example of the division that exists in Thailand.
- Discussion 21 : 11/09/2012 at 05:52 PM
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She should have driven a big Benz or better a Ferrari and the police would have recognized right away that she was sober and innocent.
But I love her comment "He (the officer) told me to blow into the machine, but I feel that I'm not in an appropriate condition […] and when I'm sober, I'll blow into it."
- Discussion 22 : 11/09/2012 at 05:23 PM
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The Cops should have taken her to jail the moment she refused to take he test. She should be charged for a DUI and Obstruction of Justice. What a good example she is for the Thai youth. Come on Police do you job. Stop worring about who the person is that is braking the law.
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