The parents were made to sign the contracts after a team of police and soldiers rounded up 63 young people who were street racing on July 16 in the Soi Charoenrat 7 area. The youths were held for a week-long training session at the 1st Communication Battalion King’s Guard.

As part of the programme, police yesterday had the parents of 45 teenagers sign probation contracts and place a Bt20,000 guarantee for each youth and his motorcycle. Some parents who answered the summonses were enraged by the “too expensive” deposit, saying the youths had not done anything wrong.

Bang Phong Phang Police Station’s superintendent Pol Colonel Sophot Suwanjaras said the parents could have the money back if the youths did not violate the probation contracts in the next two years. He added that if parents were unable to afford the deposit, then the motorcycles would be impounded or the parents could find a civil servant who is willing to put his or her post up as a guarantee.

He said the Social Development and Human Security Ministry and the Justice Ministry’s Youth Observation and Protection Department would take care of the youths along with parents over the two years.

Another 18 individuals over the age of 20 also face two years of probation and must post the deposit, while police would monitor their behaviour, he said. Police will also seek arrest warrants for the two individuals over the age of 20 who failed to attend the training session.