New "Smart Driving License" too smart for the Thai police

[webfact]

New "Smart Driving License" too smart for the Thai police

 

 

An RTP spokesman has expressed concern over plans to do away with conventional driving licenses.

 

The cops wonder how they are going to do what they have always done - take a driver's license away when they offend and issue a temporary one until they turn up at the station within seven days. 

 

They also see the move to digital apps as a chance for criminals to take advantage of the system. 

 

Maj-Gen Ekkaluk Limsangkat was commenting in his capacity as head of a committee looking into changes in traffic enforcement in Thailand. 

 

He is worried that "Smart Licences" or "Digital Licences" - planned to be introduced via the "DLT Smart Licence" app in mid January, will cause his men headaches. 

 

Principally he is worried about how the system will work when it comes to confiscating licences. And he believes criminals could abuse the system by posing as someone else. 

 

 

Department of Land Transport chief Pheeraphon Thawornsuphacharoen dismissed the concerns saying that a licence could be cancelled via the app. 

 

Though it could not physically be taken in it could still be suspended via the available tech on the app. 

 

He also said the technology would be safe doing exactly what it says on the tin. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-12-19

[ezzra]

Smart, innovative and avant-garde, among others, have all different meaning in this country... 

[bluesofa]

I'm not surprised it doesn't appear to have been thought through. One department announcing a policy without consulting other departments who will be involved.

Or is it just sour grapes on the part of the police, as it makes it harder for them to extort cash from motorists?

 

[kelboy]

What happens when you have no Internet signal. 

[YetAnother]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

The cops wonder how they are going to do what they have always done

heaven forbid anything changes

[essox essox]

3 minutes ago, kelboy said:

What happens when you have no Internet signal. 

big problem and NOT all have smart/android phones do they??

[PatOngo]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

They (police) also see the move to digital apps as a chance for criminals to take advantage of the system.

...and who are biggest criminals rorting the system?

[akirasan]

14 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

...and who are biggest criminals rorting the system?

They don't want any competition

[robblok]

I think their only worry is that they can no longer confiscate the drivers license to force people to pay fines. That is their major worry and nothing else. I understand that because it does make it harder for them but i also feel something of fun about the situation at the expense of the police.

[overherebc]

Is it actually allowed within Thai law for the police to hold your licence?

[essox essox]

1 minute ago, overherebc said:

Is it actually allowed within Thai law for the police to hold your licence?

would assume so makes you pay any fine so you then get licence back !!

[overherebc]

1 minute ago, essox essox said:

would assume so makes you pay any fine so you then get licence back !!

Assuming doesn't really answer the question about the law though.

[CantSpell]

Another well thought policy that should go done the drain by tomorrow in the land of silly announcements.. 

[jumbo]

Quote

The cops wonder how they are going to do what they have always done - take a driver's license away when they offend and issue a temporary one until they turn up at the station within seven day

Never have been issues a temp driving license?

"........What they always have done" as in withholding your DL to get some proper tea money?

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

Is it actually allowed within Thai law for the police to hold your licence?

@Lamkyong

Sorry you are sad this morning.

[JAG]

1 hour ago, kelboy said:

What happens when you have no Internet signal. 

B200 if you are Thai, B500 if you are Farang.????

 

[Chang_paarp]

This might mean the cops would have to issue fines on the spot like most of the rest of the world. Heaven forbid they actually have to be seen to be professional and trained to do their job in a manner that would meet international standards of the mid 20th century.

[NCC1701A]

at least some Thais are trying to come up with ways to fight the police from holding your license for ransom and extorting money on the spot.

 

 

[madmitch]

Shouldn't one of the main aspects of a smart licence be that any penalty points or fines due should be digitally endorsed to the licence? Of course that would entail the RTP learning something about the technology. Will it curtail the corrupt practices? Of course not; a few banknotes can easily be offered in preference to an electronic endorsement.

 

This statement no more than an anti-modernisation sentiment.

[jvs]

2 hours ago, essox essox said:

big problem and NOT all have smart/android phones do they??

It is also allowed to carry your DP in your wallet.

 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

at least some Thais are trying to come up with ways to fight the police from holding your license for ransom and extorting money on the spot.

 

 

And those "some Thais" should be applauded for their efforts.....sadly though corruption/extortion are endemic in the majority of officials here and it will fall on deaf ears

[DM07]

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I'm not surprised it doesn't appear to have been thought through. One department announcing a policy without consulting other departments who will be involved.

Or is it just sour grapes on the part of the police, as it makes it harder for them to extort cash from motorists?

 

What he said!

 

But also: the concept of traffic- lights, zebra- crossings and handing out fines for traffic- rule violations are too smart for the Thai Police, sooooooo...

 

 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

Is it actually allowed within Thai law for the police to hold your licence?

Yes it is.

[boonrawdcnx]

Prevents he police doing what they have always done ?

Like holding the license ransom until you pay them their bribe?

 

A friend of mine was caught drunk driving - at the checkpoint he was put into a police “prison” truck and was able to call some police and army friends who he had actually been drinking with that night.

Three of them showed up all of them drunk of course and negotiated to let him go for 6000 Baht. There were about 15 other people in the police truck who had to pay fines up to 20,000 baht - needless to say no receipt for the money was issued.

The worst thing though was that after he paid the fine negotiated by his Pals he was handed the car-keys and allowed to drive home as drunk as he was!

 

Which just shows smart license ,regular license or no license at all as long as the law is “enforced” by a bunch of crooks it doesn’t really matter if the license is “smart” or not.

 

Second scenario almost a year ago a friend of a friend was caught driving drunk at the same spot.

 

The guy said down at the table with the police and they took his driving license away he told them he would call some friends who would bring him money to pay the “fine” - with the police busy with other people he walked over to his car while talking on the phone sat down in his car and drove away leaving his driving license behind with the police.

My friend who told me that story was laughing and told me what he did is just unbelievable and expected the police at the doorstep any day.

Six months past and nothing happened so his friend who had been driving without a license all this time went to make a new license and did so without problems.

Which clearly shows the police just want their money - enforcing the law or following up without being able to line their pockets - they are not interested in.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

[richard_smith237]

 

9 minutes ago, boonrawdcnx said:

as long as the law is “enforced” by a bunch of crooks it doesn’t really matter if the license is “smart” or not.

 

This pretty much sums up the vast majority of issues in Thailand... 

 

There can be a good system in place, but it needs good people across the board to make it work properly... Thai's are generally too 'giving' when it comes to enforcement - much of this flexibility is what draws many of us here to this more relaxed way of living, however, the ugly negative aspect is there once the surface is scratched.... 

 

[dcnx]

It shouldn’t matter what uneducated criminals with badges think. They are the root of many problems in this country and if there is ever a chance for change, they shouldn’t be involved in it. 

[MekkOne]

5 hours ago, kelboy said:

What happens when you have no Internet signal. 

the right question is: what happen when you don't have license at all?

[Anders W Ferslev]

5 hours ago, essox essox said:

big problem and NOT all have smart/android phones do they??

the normal license will still work, the app is an extra thing you can use if you like

[Happy Grumpy]

5 hours ago, kelboy said:

What happens when you have no Internet signal. 

500 baht fine at the station. Or 200 baht on the spot. 

[Lupatria]

Last Friday at the RTP academy: