PM Prayut opposes plan for higher driving licence penalties

[webfact]

PM opposes plan for higher driving licence penalties

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

THE LAND Transport Department (LTD)’s plan to impose a much tougher penalty on driving-licence-related offenders has hit a major snag – opposition from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
 

“I disagree with the plan,” General Prayut announced yesterday. 

 

Emerging from a Cabinet meeting, Prayut said the department had not been given the green light yet, adding that further discussions were necessary to determine if the plan could go through. 

 

The LTD has proposed amendments to the Land Traffic Act of BE2522 and Automobile Act of BE2522, prescribing heavier punishment against motorists driving without a licence or with an expired/suspended/confiscated licence or failing to produce a licence when asked. The penalty for those driving without a licence, for instance, will jump from a maximum fine of Bt1,000 and/or up to one month in jail to a fine of Bt50,000 and/or up to three months in jail. 

 

Motorists driving with an expired/suspended/confiscated licence will also be fined up to Bt50,000 and/or jailed for up to three months if convicted. The current penalty for this offence is a fine of Bt2,000. 

 

Failure to present a valid licence when requested is now punishable with a maximum fine of Bt1,000, but the LTD hopes this penalty will be increased to Bt10,000. 

 

Supporters of the LTD plan have been blaming offences related to driving licences for the many road accidents in the country. 

“Let me tell you, you can’t blame everything on driving-licence violations,” General Prayut said. 

 

Statistics show 60 per cent of motorcyclists drive without a licence, and most road accidents in Thailand involve motorcycles. 

However, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon threw full support behind the LTD plan last week. 

 

National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice president Surachai Liengboonlertchai said yesterday that the LTD’s proposed amendment was now in the hands of the Council of State. 

 

“But if the Cabinet does not endorse it, it will not come to the NLA,” Surachai explained. 

 

 He was speaking after the Federation for the Protection of People’s Rights called on him to scrap the LTD draft law. 

 

The federation’s president Worakorn Pongthanakul said the proposed amendment, if endorsed, would deal a big blow on low-income earners, who could face a hefty fine if they forget to carry their licence. 

 

Meanwhile, a senior government spokesman said the Cabinet agreed with the idea of considering big bikes separately in terms of licences. 

 

A proposal said that in order to reduce road accidents, users of big bikes would be treated differently and provided with more training and special licences. 

 

Members of the big bike community quoted Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd as saying that the government was ready to adjust a related 2005 law.

 

Speaking after a ministerial level meeting in Chumphon province, he said that in future those applying for a licence to ride a big bike would have to take a separate test and will be given a different licence. It is still unclear as to what is considered a “big bike”. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353186

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-29

[Thaiwrath]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Let me tell you, you can’t blame everything on driving-licence violations,” General Prayut said. 

But you can blame most things on lack on serious enforcement, not to mention the corruption, in the police accepting a small monetary bribe to let offenders get away without punishment.

[Samui Bodoh]

"...“I disagree with the plan,” General Prayut announced yesterday. .."

 

What a gutless wuss! The only reason that the plan had been discussed was to see if they could get away with giving police a major source of new funds (can anyone say "pre-election give away"). Now that it has hit public resistance (for good reason), the so-called 'brave' PM has scurried away like a cockroach.

 

It is and always was a stupid idea. Sure, Thai people should have a licence and everyone wants to see better road safety, but this new law wouldn't do that. Instead, it would have given the police the leverage to demand even more "fines" with the threat of sending people to court with all the hassle and loss that entails. Further, the idea that the police wouldn't have taken advantage is laughable; 'here is a new means that you can use to collect even more cash, but we don't expect the police to treat it as such'.

 

Riiiiiiiiight. Puleeeeeeeze.

 

If you want to improve road safety, and I hope you do, then force the police to get off their collective asses and patrol. Make them spend a month out on the street forcing people to drive better under threat of fines. After a month or so, then have them actually give fines in a reasonable manner. 

 

THAT is how you improve road safety, not by some bureaucrat sitting in an office somewhere issuing gigantic fines for not having correct paperwork, but by actually doing something.

 

This Thai predilection of using bureaucratic, paperwork-based "policies" is ludicrous. Meaningless laws that aren't enforced are a waste of everyone's time. If you seriously want to improve road safety, then you need enforcement of laws already on the books; THAT is how you implement change.

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2018 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[MaxYakov]

The General is correct. Cannot blame everything on "driving-license violations", but traffic law enforcement has to start somewhere, why not with licenses? Forgot your license? Bring it to court. What, future court date not possible? TiT.

[Get Real]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

The federation’s president Worakorn Pongthanakul said the proposed amendment, if endorsed, would deal a big blow on low-income earners, who could face a hefty fine if they forget to carry their licence. 

I guess T4.0 could help with that. If a driver in a normal country forgets his driver license a check up in a database of the car, owner or possible ID-card can provide the answer needed.

[Enoon]

It's a vote loser.

 

The sole reason for his opposition.

 

 

[gunderhill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Supporters of the LTD plan have been blaming offences related to driving licences for the many road accidents in the country.

They don't have a clue do they?

[gunderhill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Statistics show 60 per cent of motorcyclists drive without a licence, and most road accidents in Thailand involve motorcycles.

Must be true then, you can't make this nonsense up.

[gunderhill]

58 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

give fines in a reasonable manner. 

Giving's not enough, it  also needs  collecting forcibly as  well otherwise it  will be yet another useless  bunch of  rules.

[webfact]

PM disagrees with higher penalties for drivers without driving licenses

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that he personally did not agree with a police proposal to increase the penalties for drivers without driving licenses. 

 

Asked about the controversial proposal which has attracted widespread criticisms, the prime minister said the proposal should also take into consideration other issues besides the requirement for the drivers to be more responsible and to always carry driving licenses with them.

 

“There are different purposes, but not those posted in the social media.  Do not cause public misunderstanding because, otherwise, problems cannot be resolved in the future.  Everything must depend on the laws and suitability.  Personally, I do not agree with (this proposal).  More discussions are needed.  Be understandable, I have not given an approval yet,” said the prime minister.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-disagrees-with-higher-penalties-for-drivers-without-driving-licenses/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-08-29

[Enoon]

 

Given that nothing happens without him "ordering" it, the proposal was probably put forward (at his covert behest) in order for him to shoot it down.....to the delight of the electorate.

 

Pure theatre.

 

 

[Prairieboy]

A few ideas to complement the increased fines and to reduce the carnage on the roads:

 

Immediately confiscate vehicles from unlicensed operators - vehicles to be held until the operator has successfully completed the requisite training and has been issued a license.

  

Immediately confiscate motorcycles with helmetless drivers and/or passengers.  (Impose a 10,000 baht on the parents of the underage driver).  Seize all motorcycles with more than 2 persons aboard.

 

The above obviously requires the police force to enforce the laws.  Following is a proactive solution to reducing accidents and deaths.

 

Do away with the current non-academic subjects in schools and replace with mandatory driver education starting at 12 years old (focusing on safety, road etiquette, and vehicle care and control).  The theoretical aspects of driving would then to be complemented by on-the-road practical driving under the tutelage of a qualified instructor beginning at age 14.  No driving permit issued until successful completion of the foregoing to be confirmed by an independent testing agent at the LTD who could then issue a 2-year probationary license.  (Restrictions may include daylight driving only, no passengers (motorcycles), or a limited number if in a pick-up or automobile.)

 
 

[RotMahKid]

The only reason he said this is he wants more votes in the "coming" election, what a fake.

Edited August 28, 2018 by RotMahKid

[pattayadgw]

Dont need to be a 'rocket scientist' to read/see the push back thats come from the general public... it would be a huge vote loss if he goes with it... nuff said!!

[z42]

More populist spin from this buffoon to craft some wonderful image of him as wanting to side with the downtrodden.

But how many locals will see through the facade I wonder......

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

Given that nothing happens without him "ordering" it, the proposal was probably put forward (at his covert behest) in order for him to shoot it down.....to the delight of the electorate.

 

Pure theatre.

 

 

It quite possibly could be. Smoke and mirrors.  

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, gunderhill said:

They don't have a clue do they?

Little or none!

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, Enoon said:

It's a vote loser.

The sole reason for his opposition.

Absolutely. The one-sided electioneering campaign is now well under way.

 

If I wasn't so cynical then it wouldn't even have occurred to me that the good man may have told the DLT to make some "outrageous" suggestions in order for him to scupper them.

Let the spin doctoring begin!

 

[inThailand]

Just a good political move if elections are coming? 

Edited August 29, 2018 by inThailand

[keith101]

For those without a license keep the same fine but take the motorbike/vehicle until they can produce a valid driving license and everyone will be rushing to get a driving license but without proper training the accident rate will not drop only increase .

[Esso49]

And the reason for that is probably very few of his own clan have a legal driving licences I suspect.  to say the guy is a baboon in his thinking on the matter would be an insult to that particular primate.

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

PM opposes plan for higher driving licence penalties

Politicians will do and say anything when in election mode. He might just as well have said it out loud.

                              "Votes are more important than road deaths".

[dotpoom]

I ask myself again (after reading all the usual bashing) why don't you just go home if it is as bad as you see it?

The D...likes to instill fear into his base concerning migrants etc , but at least his "base" are from his country...and the migrants are from the outside.

Here we have the migrants preaching to the people in their own country.

  Why not pick up a "cause" in your own country.

Edited August 29, 2018 by dotpoom

[Fairynuff]

He may well change his mind after he “wins” an election

[yellowboat]

It just shows how little effectiveness he is able to muster.  He cannot reform the BiB and he cannot lose power, even if it is for the betterment of Thailand as a whole.  Police officers stand to make a killing with the new laws. 

 

With everything in Thailand, all problems come from a lack of education and heaps of denial.   Drivers are poorly educated and the government is in denial as to the hassle of getting a licenses, and the lack of enforcement on the roads.    The good general has given his opposition ammunition in the coming election.

[bluesofa]

13 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

He may well change his mind after he “wins” an election

You mean like people sitting in the back of pick-ups? He changed his mind on that within a week.

 

[rkidlad]

32 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

I ask myself again (after reading all the usual bashing) why don't you just go home if it is as bad as you see it?

The D...likes to instill fear into his base concerning migrants etc , but at least his "base" are from his country...and the migrants are from the outside.

Here we have the migrants preaching to the people in their own country.

  Why not pick up a "cause" in your own country.

Instead of making insane suggestions that you know won't happen, why don't you stop reading TV. That would be a lot easier. 

 

As for your 'his country' comment, was that a Freudian slip?  

[Easy Come Easy Go]

Thailand, listen. 
Set up speeding cameras with an auto-flash censors, which will snap shots of people's plates if they go over a certain speed limit. This will dramatically decrease speeding in specific areas, which will result in less deaths, and also money to the government etc. 

[fullcave]

Thailand has the highest road death rate in the world = the worst drivers in the world. Why? Because they have laws that promote placing children in front of an adult with no helmet on motorbikes, placing entire families on a mickey mouse three-wheeled motorbike, packing school children in the back of a pick-up truck, placing children on the roof of an overloaded ten wheel truck, overloading pick-up truck to maximum 3 meters high, etc. etc. Anyone of these offenses in Europe would result in jail time and loss of driving privilege, impounding the vehicle and in the case of child endangerment more. Not to mention a thousand baht fine for driving without a license and you are on your way. BTW- An unlicensed driver is NOT covered when involved in an accident or kills somebody! TIT.

[Wiggy]

It's simple: the police don't want motorists to abide by the law. If they did, there would be no money for the BIB. What comes with that, unfortunately, is a high death toll. But that's collateral damage as far as the police farce is concerned. Also, it's why you only sometimes see roadblocks checking for helmets, or whatever. That law is temporarily enforced and every one wears a helmet for a while. Once the hype has died down and people stop wearing one, the roadblock mysteriously reappears again a while later, and hey presto........ ????