Thailand links traffic fines to annual tax discs from August

1. This has nothing to do with road safety and everything to do with revenue collection.

2. If they cared one iota about road safety they would get the incredibly lazy Highway Patrol to get out there and actually patrol the highways and pull people over for reckless driving.

3. Any promise or declaration that comes from this administration will likely be forgotten in 2 weeks. Anutin has proven for 20 years now that he doesn't follow up with anything. He is inept.

4. I seriously doubt that Thailand has the resources or the ability to implement a system like this.

Edited Friday at 03:55 AM2 days by spidermike007

just more proof it's about headlines, and photo ops...or are they really just so stupid, most Thais don't pay tax, many Thais drive without a license...the rich simply pay off the cops, or, like the Red Bull guy, travel the world, and the cops show no interest in locating them.

When will those Thai persons making such pronouncements of new policies learn to run it by the cognoscenti on here first.

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

At some point you have to start. It happens in Western Countries too. So, no reason to start Thai bashing again.

This first step will change a lot.

At the end to increase safety on the roads

you make an irrational comment, showing little knowledge of Thais and Thailand, where's the thai "bashing," it's plain facts...it seems you are not living in Thailand, or are very naive...or one of those farang that seems they need to "protect" Thais, and Thailand.
Think about this FACT: Approximately 85% to 90% of the Thai population does not pay personal income tax.

4 minutes ago, JerryM said:

When will those Thai persons making such pronouncements of new policies learn to run it by the cognoscenti on here first.

They won't...they don't like us being smarter, more logical, than them

2 hours ago, Front Row said:

And I guess the concept of points against someone’s license would be a total non starter. In a lot of countries, you get a certain number of points for each traffic violation. Too many points and they suspend your license.

But let’s not give the authorities here any ideas. 😉

A few years ago, it was "announced" Thailand was doing the same, anyway, it's irrelevant, many Thais drive without a licence

14 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

They won't...they don't like us being smarter, more logical, than them

As a co-worker of mine used to say: I can fake humility.

"I read"....that the Chinese link your number plate to your bank account and you are fined in real time for cameras that can catch a driving offence....clever.

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Even in my small province they already did this.

2 years ago I had to pay a fine before I could renew my car tax .

So each year going to the vehicle tax office could be more expensive.

Avoid the fines, resp the reasons for it. Start following safety rules

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Avoid the fines, resp the reasons for it. Start following safety rules

Sounds boring.

It's those damn camera's .

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

At some point you have to start. It happens in Western Countries too. So, no reason to start Thai bashing again.

This first step will change a lot.

At the end to increase safety on the roads

more people not paying fines and not registering their vehicles , thus no insurance at all too, will increase safety?

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Even in my small province they already did this.

2 years ago I had to pay a fine before I could renew my car tax .

So each year going to the vehicle tax office could be more expensive.

Avoid the fines, resp the reasons for it. Start following safety rules

6 minutes ago, rwill said:

more people not paying fines and not registering their vehicles , thus no insurance at all too, will increase safety?

So, you think to do nothing is better? Pathetic.

The tax thing is perfect as a first step

6 hours ago, sungod said:

They said this 2 years ago……

and 2 years before that, and 2 years before that.... ;-)

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

This has nothing to do with police enforcement as enforcement will be by Land Transportation Division responsible for vehicular licensing.

It would be if, as in other countries, untaxed / uninsured vehicles were on a database that the police accessed.

Example, in UK if you drive past an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) | Police.uk camera, and your vehicle is lacking VED (tax), insurance or Mot certificate it triggers the camera.

UK police have these fitted to patrol cars and will give chase and stop offending vehicles.

8 hours ago, twizzian said:

This is not a new edition to traffic & Tax link. A couple of years ago it was deemed illegal by top Lawyers to refuse Tax if you have a traffic violation.

I myself had my Tax renewal refused unless I paid an outstanding speeding fine.

I guess that illegal loophole has now closed

Iirc they started it, but then it was pointed out the DLT did not have the authority to collect the fines for the RTP
I expect the DLT were like WTF is all this extra work?

My question now is
How much is the fine for driving without any Tax?

and just to add
driving slow ≠ driving safe

Edited Friday at 09:24 AM2 days by patman30

What about tourists on rented bikes etc, who just ignore fines and hop the country.

Will the rental agency have to pay up.

9 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I guess there are tickets handed out manually by cops, but do they really get entered onto a computer? I think that’s doubtful.

I can attest to this. Nearly 2 years ago I got a parking ticket (and my car was wheel-clamped) in Bangkok. I contacted the police - who refused to come and unclamp my wheel - and told me I had to go to the police station to pay the fine. They would remove the clamp after this.

I had no idea where the police station was, and found that the 'clamp' was able to be easily removed....I left it on the side of the road..

I returned home, and tried several times to pay the fine at BKK bank. 2 months later - the fine had not been entered into the system - so I gave up.

6 hours ago, JerryM said:

As a co-worker of mine used to say: I can fake humility.

Facts are facts, unless someone can change my mind.

13 hours ago, motdaeng said:

is this a joke? there are drivers with dozens of outstanding traffic fines. for everyone who has always paid their fines on time, this feels like a slap in the face ... but that's thailand ...

13 hours ago, motdaeng said:

is this a joke? there are drivers with dozens of outstanding traffic fines. for everyone who has always paid their fines on time, this feels like a slap in the face ... but that's thailand ...

This is because they couldn't chase up fines—I agree it's 30 years too late, and there is a culture of not paying fines in Thailand, but if they want to improve road safety, enforcement is one of the issues that needs to be addressed—it doesn't matter how big a fine is if you don't have to pay it. it is in most countries that have low death and ijury rates on their roads.

Unfortunately for this to work, it will require a reform of the courts and how they enforce penalties AND a reform of the police—both of which are major constitutional issues.

With all the rust buckets on the road with panels hanging off, lights not working, black smoke belching out and unlicenced drivers, I can't see how unpaid fines being linked to annual tax renewal will make any difference. Maybe if untaxed cars were impounded until the tax was paid, there might be some hope.

18 hours ago, motdaeng said:

is this a joke? there are drivers with dozens of outstanding traffic fines. for everyone who has always paid their fines on time, this feels like a slap in the face ... but that's thailand ...

Like Spain giving amnesty to the swart masses ? Making it retroactive would be an administrative nightmare. I pity the civil servants whose lives are being turned upside down by all of these hubs and crackdowns.

18 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

The idea looks good on paper: “continuing reduction in accidents”, photo‑opportunities with police divisions, exhibitions, digital‑government booths, and Krungthai Bank displays.

But, none of that touches the core problem.

I'd suggest that Thailand’s worst road offenders already ignore fines. If enforcement remains toothless, shifting systems around won’t suddenly make them pay road tax either.

The chronic offenders aren’t deterred by signage, exhibitions, or new administrative frameworks. The only deterred is consistent enforcement, which sadly Thailand still fails to deliver.

Without that, any plan risks becoming just another round of bureaucratic theatre: lots of displays, lots of signatures, but no behavioural change among the people who cause the most damage.

This initiative could even make the situation worse: you end up with the same high‑risk drivers, still ignoring fines, but now also ignoring tax, and still on the road! Compounding this, by avoiding the road tax, they are also likely to skip Por Ror Bor, leaving victims of any accidents they cause without compulsory injury coverage.

Any administrative reforms won’t matter if the enforcement culture doesn’t change.

19 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

The idea looks good on paper: “continuing reduction in accidents”, photo‑opportunities with police divisions, exhibitions, digital‑government booths, and Krungthai Bank displays.

But, none of that touches the core problem.

I'd suggest that Thailand’s worst road offenders already ignore fines. If enforcement remains toothless, shifting systems around won’t suddenly make them pay road tax either.

The chronic offenders aren’t deterred by signage, exhibitions, or new administrative frameworks. The only deterred is consistent enforcement, which sadly Thailand still fails to deliver.

Without that, any plan risks becoming just another round of bureaucratic theatre: lots of displays, lots of signatures, but no behavioural change among the people who cause the most damage.

This initiative could even make the situation worse: you end up with the same high‑risk drivers, still ignoring fines, but now also ignoring tax, and still on the road! Compounding this, by avoiding the road tax, they are also likely to skip Por Ror Bor, leaving victims of any accidents they cause without compulsory injury coverage.

Any administrative reforms won’t matter if the enforcement culture doesn’t change.

..... .could we summarize your seven paragraphs into a simple solution like "delinquent for 90 days and we impound your vehicle until paid!"

22 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, this time is different since the money of culprits are involved: if you don't pay the fine you wouldn't get taxed your vehicle.

Excellent move 👍

22 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, this time is different since the money of culprits are involved: if you don't pay the fine you wouldn't get taxed your vehicle.

Excellent move 👍

That won't concern many thais, they don't pay taxes, they drive unlicensed vehicles, they drive without a license

11 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

That won't concern many thais, they don't pay taxes, they drive unlicensed vehicles, they drive without a license

Obviously you're an expert for unlawful or criminal life.

Here an update for you:

Thais pay taxes

Thais got a driver's license

Thai vehicle are taxed

34 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Here an update for you:

Some people like to say "The fact is ..." and then they give an opinion.

23 hours ago, Srikcir said:

This has nothing to do with police enforcement as enforcement will be by Land Transportation Division responsible for vehicular licensing.

I know IF there were ever ANY police out & about in Pattaya's slow-moving traffic, they MIGHT notice a missing disc and be forced into working. One can dream.

On 7/24/2026 at 8:19 AM, wensiensheng said:

I guess there are tickets handed out manually by cops, but do they really get entered onto a computer? I think that’s doubtful

I got written one in Bangkok the other day, as soon as I said i would pay next week in the police station as I was in a rush, the price came down for cash :)

58 minutes ago, sungod said:

I got written one in Bangkok the other day, as soon as I said i would pay next week in the police station as I was in a rush, the price came down for cash :)

58 minutes ago, sungod said:

I got written one in Bangkok the other day, as soon as I said i would pay next week in the police station as I was in a rush, the price came down for cash :)

58 minutes ago, sungod said:

I got written one in Bangkok the other day, as soon as I said i would pay next week in the police station as I was in a rush, the price came down for cash :)

No computer entry for that one then 😂

On 7/24/2026 at 8:36 AM, riverhigh said:

"Motorists will be able to check the fine and pay it directly to the transport registrar when renewing their tax. However, the original tax-payment sign, commonly known as the annual tax disc, will be withheld until all relevant fines have been paid."

Welcome to the digital world. It was just a matter of time before they linked up the "systems" to enforce laws. Unfortunately this may lead to "visa renewals" linked to the "Thai tax system". Objective to ensure that foreigners in grey-area businesses such as condo rentals are paying taxes. Unfortunately long term expats with no business interests may get caught up in the bureaucratic net. Have to get a Tax ID Number (TIN) and fill in a tax return.

What happens if you sell or buy a car I wonder?

Do I sell it on with my fines outstanding for payment for the next owner when they tax it, and vice versa?

On 7/24/2026 at 4:07 AM, Upnotover said:

They already have that for several years. If I recall correctly you start with 12 points and there are deductions for each offence, If the system is actually in force or not is another question.

the only i know,about 10 or 15 years agio they start to make holes in the drivinglicence. 3 holes and with 4 holes the drivinglicence would be suspended.

but never inforced outside bangkok , and after fall asleep like everything

same 20 yrs ago fines was already in system and cant pay tax

like all in thailand its blablabla , good so , if not here is europe/us already