Thread: Traffic police: THB10,000-50,000 fines maximum penalty

BANGKOK, 22nd August 2018 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police have clarified the controversy about driver’s license-relate fines, saying fines ranging from 10,000 - 50,000 baht are the maximum penalty.

Commander of the Police Special Branch, Pol.Maj.Gen.Ekkarak Limsangkat said this week that 50,000-baht fine for not having a driver’s license and a 10,000-baht fine for failing to display a driver’s license are maximum penalties. The fine for a first offense is at the discretion of the courts and the second offense according to the investigators. The law on the matter is being considered by the National Legislative Assembly, he said.

The police are considering cancelling the present program which gives a share of fines to traffic police officers, so as to avoid public disapproval. If the program is cancelled, the police will consider other types of incentives for officers, said the commander.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Traffic police: THB10,000-50,000 fines maximum penalty

I see children no more then 10 years old driving motor bikes on the main roads here in Pattaya everyday.

I wonder how the B.I.B are going to manage these children serving them maximum penalties and or jail terms of 3 months?

Interesting to see!

Originally Posted by misskit

The police are considering cancelling the present program which gives a share of fines to traffic police officers, so as to avoid public disapproval.

Don't cancel it you idiots! It's in the public's best interest to have cops eagerly looking to impose fines for bad or illegal driving. And make the maximum non-discretionary and for every offense.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I see children no more then 10 years old driving motor bikes on the main roads here in Pattaya everyday.

After the kerfuffle last year when cops cracked down on kids driving, the idiots relented and now kids are allowed to drive to school. TIT.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I wonder how the B.I.B are going to manage these children serving them maximum penalties and or jail terms of 3 months?

A child under 15 is immune from prosecution for any crime in Thailand, so I believe.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

A child under 15 is immune from prosecution for any crime in Thailand, so I believe.

So their parents are libel?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So their parents are libel?

Your guess would be as good as mine. I'll look it up. Try reading this. http://library.siam-legal.com/thai-l...ections-73-79/

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So their parents are libel?

I don't think any parents would write defamatory things about the cops. Thai defamation laws and all, innit.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

A policeman currently collects 95% of a fine issued. The other 5% goes to the government coffers. The 95% is then pooled with other officers within pool who don't work outside.

I didn't know that. Then why TF aren't more tickets issued? It's a great incentive.

It must be that the "commission" is only paid on paid fines and the system to ensure fines are paid is broken.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

I didn't know that. Then why TF aren't more tickets issued? It's a great incentive.

It must be that the "commission" is only paid on paid fines and the system to ensure fines are paid is broken.

I thought/think the same but no. I've never been able to figure it out. I'd imaging if they take tea money then they get to keep it all whereas .....................

Originally Posted by Maanaam

I don't think any parents would write defamatory things about the cops. Thai defamation laws and all, innit.

So if a Thai parent allows their 10 year old son to drive a motor bike on Public Roads where police have road blocks will not write defamatory things about the cops when they arrest their children?

And when these children have serious accidents whilst driving illegally and according to the new laws, who will cover the costs?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So if a Thai parent allows their 10 year old son to drive a motor bike on Public Roads where police have road blocks will not write defamatory things about the cops when they arrest their children?

And when these children have serious accidents whilst driving illegally and according to the new laws, who will cover the costs?

Yeah mate, I'm with you on all of that.
I was making a snide comment about your typo... "libel" instead of "liable".
Don't sweat it, everyone makes typos.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Don't sweat it, everyone makes typos.

And you certainly like typing.

All in all these new laws that the police are considering is bullshit unless they charge everyone regardless of age or race who are breaking those laws.

Most days I am shocked and horrified seeing children driving like maniacs on public roads and being ignored by police who would pull me over in a heartbeat to get their wedge. And I never pay!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

And you certainly like typing.

Do you also have a problem with reading more than one sentence like Lulu Rat does?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

All in all these new laws that the police are considering is bullshit unless they charge everyone regardless of age or race who are breaking those laws.

Out in the villages, like the one I live in, the police do not really enforce the laws. Mainly because the police live within the community and don't want to go upsetting their friends or neighbours. On top of that their kids are no different to others by riding motorcycles underaged and not wearing helmets. As long as the people stay local and don't venture out onto the main roads it's as good as 'do what you will'.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

As long as the kids stay local and don't venture out onto the main roads it's as good as 'do what you will'.

So what happens, and according to your experience, when a child driving a motor bike illegally has an accident and dies?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So what happens, and according to your experience, when a child driving a motor bike illegally has an accident and dies?

Nothing. Life goes on. The police will act as arbitrators between the child's family the third party in deciding who was at fault. Compensation is then negotiated.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Nothing. Life goes on. The police will act as arbitrators between the child's family the third party in deciding who was at fault. Compensation is then negotiated.

Would that be the case if a foreigner is involved?

Not being difficult mate but these new laws being considered are for the whole of Thailand!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Would that be the case if a foreigner is involved?

It would be just the same. I was involved a car accident when a boy of about 7 ran out into the the front wheel arch. No police turned up. We took the boy to hospital as his foot was bleeding due to the wheel going over it. The boy was in the wrong and his parents were happy with my wife paying for his treatment. Cost a couple of 100 Baht as I recall.
The police never want to get involved if the locals can sort it out themselves. Domestic violence is never attend to by the police, as far as I'm aware of.

^ Mate, and as per the OP they are bringing in new nationwide laws that involve 10,000 to 50,000 baht fines and or including jail terms.

My wife probably comes from a village more remote then yours but laws will have to stick no matter where in Thailand and as a legally binding precedent!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

My wife probably comes from a village more remote then yours but laws will have to stick no matter where in Thailand and as a legally binding precedent

I don't see it happening around here. Had an accident tuther year when a one legged man on a motorcycle came out of a sideroad and I couldn't avoid hitting him up the arse. After all was done and dusted, keeping this story short, they wanted to fine him 1400 Baht. But being as he was so poor they decided not to enforce the payment. I was left without a car for a week and totally inconvenience due to that cnut.

Could be the police don't get involved when an underage kid hurts/kills itself by driving illegally, because the consequences for the parents/family that allowed it are often plain to see. Not that they will learn from it, even without judicial process.

Yesterday, to be updated in an hour, a friend told me about his gf's 14-year-old who crashed the family bike into a village wall or post, nobody else involved, ended up in hospital with a series of procedures and ops to save his toes and lower leg.

The 30bt programme kicked in to cover medicines but not medical services or accommodation, cost to date 60k for his two-month stay in a gov hospital, which is reasonable enough but no savings + no insurance = disaster. She managed around 5k herself, another 5-10k from family, and 20k from a shark leaving a significant shortfall. Hospital agrees she can pay the balance on the drip; not sure if interest will be added. I suggested in that case return the shark's money even if it means losing a couple of k admin, and add that 20k to the hospital debt, though for some reason I didn't bother to pursue this makes no sense to Thais.

Bottom line, the family are in hock and in other cases have been known to end up borrowing on the only asset the entire family own, their plot, which in time is a foregone conclusion they will lose as they're already in hock for the TV, car, bike, building works and whatever else put them in debt to the neck.

Pointless for the cops to add to the family's misery and ultimate doom by taking their end of the matter any further.

The good news here is that my farang friend will almost certainly step in with a wad, this time as he has in the past when finances ran out of control, but similar avoidable incidents happen all the time to the most vulnerable, with nobody to step in and save the day. To be fair to the rural masses, though much the same happens in the city, what we regard as foolish is often the village norm, where they do not have the luxury of avoiding the consequences of dumb moves such as letting 14 or even 10-year-olds drive bikes.

Driving along Siam Country Club Rd yesterday towards Chicken crossroads and 2 motor bikes flew past me at a great rate driven by kids no older then 12 years.

How a car, coming from the kids right hand side didn't wipe both bikes out amazed me and it must have been a matter of inches between life and death.

If the government are going to enforce such strict new laws there must be consistency regarding who they fine.

Originally Posted by jabir

The 30bt programme kicked in to cover medicines

I don't understand that part as anyone that is involved in a traffic accident has to pay full government hospital costs. That is is why Por Ror Bor insurance is compulsory, to cover the costs at the government hospital.

The increase in the fine for not carrying your license, to 10,000 baht is worrying and is obviously disproportionate.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

I don't understand that part as anyone that is involved in a traffic accident has to pay full government hospital costs. That is is why Por Ror Bor insurance is compulsory, to cover the costs at the government hospital.

I thought that was 3rd party insurance, ie to pay for whoever you hit.

Originally Posted by jabir

cost to date 60k for his two-month stay in a gov hospital,

This ties in with why my FiL had a bill.