Hello,

 

Yesterday in Chalong I was stopped by Thai police and given a fine for using an electric scooter that did not have a license plate (initially they said 5000 Baht but then switched to 2000 Baht). I explained to the police that electric scooters cannot be given a road license, and that even though they look a little like a regular motorbike, they cannot go over 25 or 30 miles per hour -- which is why I drive it on the very edge of the road, as you would do if you were riding a bike.  I was told by the police that I needed to go to the Thai Provincial Transportation Office in Phuket Town to see if the vehicle could be registered, and that if it could not I was not allowed to drive it on a public road. 

 

Does anyone have any feedback on this? I don't see why e-scooters shouldn't be allowed on public roads, seeing as regular bikes are allowed on them. And I know that in Bangkok electric scooters (both seated and unseated) are quite popular, so they cannot be illegal. They are also sold in Home Pro and in a lot of other stores throughout Thailand, so the assumption seems to be that you are allowed to use them.

It is a motorized vehicle, same as an electric car, Tesla.

Is it road taxed and have basic insurance in case you hit someone, no, you don't..???? 

needs to be registered

I don't understand the OP's logic that "they can not be illegal" just because the scooters have been seen on the streets of Bangkok and elsewhere.  There are a lot of "illegal" activities visible on Bangkok's byways 24/7.  The list is too long to post here.