The Land Transport Department has told police they cannot fine drivers for putting decorative wind-up keys on their vehicles because the foam ornaments are not illegal.

The department sent the clarification to the Royal Thai Police Office after receiving many complaints from motorists about the fines imposed on the decorations for violating a law on the modification of motor vehicles, Nunthapong Cherdchoo, director of the department's Bangkok office, said on Thursday.

"We have informed the police that any small modifications for beauty or convenience that neither cause any trouble or annoyance to other drivers nor block drivers' vision are not illegal and can be done," he said.

The clarification was sent to the police on Tuesday. The message also went to nationwide land transport offices so that they could explain the issue to police throughout the country, Mr Nunthapong said.

"The problem occurred because police did not ask us which kinds of modifications are illegal or not and there were misunderstandings. Complaints were received in Bangkok and other provinces," he said, adding such fines could reach up to 1,000 baht depending on officers' judgment.

The ruling applies to small decorations and accessories like foam wind-up keys, bicycle racks, additional bumpers, roll bars, step boards and tray bed liners.

They were not illegal as long as they were secured, did not harm others physically and mentally, did not change the condition of a vehicle, and the location was appropriate, Mr Nunthapong said.

Any modifications that change the condition of a vehicle from its original registered aspects must be approved by a transport office registrar first. That includes a change to the engine, colour and fuel type, plus the installation of tail lifts, canopies and lateral steel structures, he said.

Car windup keys are okay | Bangkok Post: auto