RTP regional chief criticizes station for 500 baht non-mask fine - should have been at least 6,000

[webfact]

 

The commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 1 has criticized the Bang Pahan station in Ayutthaya for only fining non-mask wearers 500 baht.

 

Complaints had been received that coconut milk sellers at a market were flouting the Ayutthaya governor's mask orders and the phu yai ban handed two men over to the cops. 

 

Lt-Gen Amphon Buarapporn said that the Bang Pahan police were not within their rights to issue 500 baht fines. The lowest for the offence - that can be as high as 20,000 baht - was 6,000 baht. 

 

Consequently the 500 baht fine has been removed and the pair are going to be sent to court where they will decide how much to fine them.

 

The Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha paid 6,000 baht for breaching the regulation after the Bangkok governor pointed it out.

 

Aphon was asked by Sanook reporters whether driving alone in a car without a mask was against the law and he said that it was according to the governor's announcement.

 

But he covered himself by saying that the police have discretion and look at the intent of the transgressor and the frequency in which they have flouted the law. 

 

It appears based on this article that the police have leeway when it comes to who is fined but not how much, notes Thaivisa. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-27

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[keith101]

When your PM was only fined 6,000 (should have been 20,000) why should normal citizens be expected to pay the same , 500 seems a good amount in comparison  .

 

[Excel]

Guess he was disappointed about the "take" from fines as he promised his Mia Noi so much more ????

[NanLaew]

Local chap in Udon Thani, works for a state entity, was fined 500 baht for not having a mask on a traffic stop a couple of days back. Apparently he was alone in his car.

[PatOngo]

Is it 500 THB, 6000 THB or 20,000Thb??? Get you stupid act together you clowns! You would'nt know your a$$ from you elbows!

[PatOngo]

23 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Local chap in Udon Thani, works for a state entity, was fined 500 baht for not having a mask on a traffic stop a couple of days back. Apparently he was alone in his car.

Does this not just confirm what a bunch of clowns they are!

[rbkk]

26 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Is it 500 THB, 6000 THB or 20,000Thb??? Get you stupid act together you clowns! You would'nt know your a$$ from you elbows!

It was reported yesterday the fines are 6,000 baht for a first offense, rising to 12,000 baht for a second offense and 20,000 baht for a third.

[PatOngo]

Just now, rbkk said:

It was reported yesterday the fines are 6,000 baht for a first offense, rising to 12,000 baht for a second offense and 20,000 baht for a third.

Let's see how consistent they are!

[Russell17au]

I think that he had better go and get an update since he has made a complete idiot of himself. Tell the officers to return the money as it is NOT against the law to drive your own car with no passengers without wearing a mask. There must be 2 or more passengers in the car

Bangkok car riders now must wear a face mask if more than 2 people are in the car. The City Hall made the announcement yesterday

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/bangkok-car-riders-must-wear-face-masks-if-2-or-more-people-in-car

[timendres]

These laws are typically worded as "up to XXXX baht", allowing for some discretion, which makes sense. For someone with little income or wealth, or someone who genuinely did not realize it was an offense, a smaller first offense fine seems reasonable.

[Pilotman]

3 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Is it 500 THB, 6000 THB or 20,000Thb??? Get you stupid act together you clowns! You would'nt know your a$$ from you elbows!

you do understand the meaning of the phrase 'up to' don't you?   Just in case you don't, in regard to this law, it means anywhere between zero and 20,000 Baht

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

you do understand the meaning of the phrase 'up to' don't you?   Just in case you don't, in regard to this law, it means anywhere between zero and 20,000 Baht

Regardless, they still don't know their a$$ from their elbows!

[Pilotman]

2 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Regardless, they still don't know their a$$ from their elbows!

True enough, but that's another issue altogether. 

[connda]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But he covered himself by saying that the police have discretion and look at the intent of the transgressor and the frequency in which they have flouted the law. 

As well as the ethnicity and nationality and whether multi-tiered fines could be invoked as usual in Prathet Xenophobia.
#sacasm_off

[connda]

1 hour ago, timendres said:

These laws are typically worded as "up to XXXX baht", allowing for some discretion, which makes sense. For someone with little income or wealth, or someone who genuinely did not realize it was an offense, a smaller first offense fine seems reasonable.

If a pasty-white, "rich" farang, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, go straight to 20,000 THB fine - why not Go To Jail too?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Consequently the 500 baht fine has been removed and the pair are going to be sent to court where they will decide how much to fine them.

Fine then 20,000 baht each and prove it will happen, tomorrow nationwide you will see everyone wearing one.

Done in a day !

[connda]

The BIB should mount a spinning wheel on the top of their "smart BMW" and hire a Thai Vanna White spin the "Fine Wheel" in front of Thai media with fanfare and pictures:

500 THB?
12,000 THB?

6,000 THB?
20,000 THB?
"Get off free!" ?
"Go To Jail!"  "
<click click click click click click.......click.........click>  (canned audience moans)

[GreasyFingers]

6 hours ago, keith101 said:

When your PM was only fined 6,000 (should have been 20,000) why should normal citizens be expected to pay the same , 500 seems a good amount in comparison  .

 

Get yourself up to date on the rules instead of just thinking you are clever.

[GreasyFingers]

5 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Is it 500 THB, 6000 THB or 20,000Thb??? Get you stupid act together you clowns! You would'nt know your a$$ from you elbows!

See my post above.

[PatOngo]

7 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

See my post above.

You 've saved me, thanks!

[GreasyFingers]

1 minute ago, PatOngo said:

You 've saved me, thanks!

Only because I do not know how to multi-quote. Cheers

It was all over Thai news, even though I do not understand what they say their graphics were good.

[wwest5829]

Can I copy the officer in the photo posted above wearing the mask so as to not cover his nose? Asking for a friend ...

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Let's see how consistent they are!

Well how can the authorities except that any of it is consistent when they have known for decades that many laws and regulations about a big variety of subjects are interpreted by the whims of local officials and nothing is even done to remedy this.

[unblocktheplanet]

A woman in the small mooban where I've lived for 30 berated me for not wearing a mask on my daily sunset walk tonight. Private streets, not BMA. Perhaps I saw six people in total, outdoors, well-distanced. No common sense...but I don't need a 6k hit, either.

[Kenneth White]

First, I would say these fines seem to be a bit excessive, 6000 baht up to 20000 baht. If fined do you get a ticket or receipt? I don't want my money going in someone's pocket.  I think this law, if you want to call it that, is a bit ambiguous. 

[mancub]

18 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Fine then 20,000 baht each and prove it will happen, tomorrow nationwide you will see everyone wearing one.

Done in a day !

Nice theory, only the majority won't/can't pay and the jails are already supposedly over-crowded!

[mancub]

Is the commander the knob in the photo wearing his mask at half-cock ? 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, mancub said:

Nice theory, only the majority won't/can't pay and the jails are already supposedly over-crowded!

Send them to a field hospital to help clean the toilets, ask them if they feel wearing a mask is still optional.