Popular Post snoop1130 Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Police checking motorbike links at checkpoint Phuket-GO have received several messages in recent days about the number of foreigners being targeted by police for fines, usually in late morning checkpoints on busy west coast roads. And the fine appears to have increased too. Whilst in the past the checks were mostly about wearing a bike helmet, lately, according to our sources, the checks are for legal motorbike licenses, which most foreigners don’t have. The fines are now, routinely, 1000 baht. In the past tourists going through checkpoints without a helmet or the correct license could usually expect an on-the-spot fine of 500 baht. Oh well, inflation… These payments are all required in cash only. Exactly what happens to all the cash collected at these pre-lunch checkpoints is not clear. To legally rent and ride a motorbike in Thailand you MUST have a Thai motorbike driving license, not a car driving license or a foreign car driving license. If you have a foreign motorbike license AND a current International Driving Permit you will be legal. Apart from being the law, it also pertains to your insurance liability if you have an accident. Insurance will not cover you if you don’t have the proper license. If you have a bad accident, and end up in hospital, your insurance will not cover your hospital expenses. Still, many foreigners hire motorbikes everyday, and the local rental shops happily rent them out – going price now is around 5000 baht per month, up from 2000 – 2,500 per month in the years before Covid. Again, inflation… So, if you want to rent a motorcycle in Thailand… • Make sure you have a Thai motorbike license or a foreign motorbike license and International Driving Permit. • NEVER leave your passport with the rental shop as a guarantee, and never let your passport out of your site when they want to make a copy. • If the shop offers insurance, check the details. Apart from costing you additional money, it’s probably not worth the paper it’s printed on. • Take plenty of photos of the motorbike, from all angles, before you drive it out of the shop, and make sure the renter sees you taking the photos. There are many scams when damage on a motorbike, perhaps out of sight, will be blamed on YOU and your hire. Of course you end up paying inflated repair fees. • If you’ve never driven a motorbike in your home country DON’T ride one for the first time in Thailand. • Don’t get into an argument with Thai police. You will lose, and potentially end up in a whole lot more trouble. If you’ve been drinking and driving as well you’re in a whole new world of trouble and should contact your consulate, embassy or tourist police immediately. Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-travel/beware-thai-police-checkpoint-on-the-spot-fines-jumped-to-1000-baht/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-18 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! 2 7 4 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 9 minutes ago, snoop1130 said: These payments are all required in cash only. Exactly what happens to all the cash collected at these pre-lunch checkpoints is not clear. Just use your imagination .....???? , price up ..maybe they give you a choice , 1000 baht cash, or a fine with receipt and points..... regards Worgeordie 10 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 1 minute ago, worgeordie said: Just use your imagination .....???? , price up ..maybe they give you a choice , 1000 baht cash, or a fine with receipt and points..... regards Worgeordie So does that work for a tourist with a proper license and IDP from his/her country, I mean you can not deduct points......10 years ago in Phuket I was stopped because my partner on the back did not have a helmet, they made me park the bike, walk to the ATM, get cash, pay them 500 baht for having a passenger with no helmet. The helmet had been stolen off of the bike at the gym we were at just an hour before, and we were on our way to the local office in Chalong to make a report.....no slack. I was told I should have gone and bought a new helmet before riding to make the report..... 2 3 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 10 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said: So does that work for a tourist with a proper license and IDP from his/her country, I mean you can not deduct points......10 years ago in Phuket I was stopped because my partner on the back did not have a helmet, they made me park the bike, walk to the ATM, get cash, pay them 500 baht for having a passenger with no helmet. The helmet had been stolen off of the bike at the gym we were at just an hour before, and we were on our way to the local office in Chalong to make a report.....no slack. I was told I should have gone and bought a new helmet before riding to make the report..... I am sure they are not only stopping tourists , they will be taking as many drivers 1000 Baht's as they can , but I think the increase will be related to the points system, regards Worgeordie 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KhunLA Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 One could just drive around legally ???? Consider yourself lucky if only 1000, as new fines, 'driving without helmet' now 2000 baht. https://phuket-motorbike-rental.com/the-penalties-for-traffic-offenses-in-thailand/ 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThailandRyan Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 6 minutes ago, worgeordie said: I am sure they are not only stopping tourists , they will be taking as many drivers 1000 Baht's as they can , but I think the increase will be related to the points system, regards Worgeordie Having lived in Phuket, the Chalong and Rawai Areas, most of the people I observed riding motor bikes were tourists and a few long term expats, very few locals on the coastal road. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ikke1959 Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 No discrimantion n Thailand, but it seems that more foreigners are fined than Thai..How many drivers are there without a driverslicense in cars and motorcycles... Indeed everyone has to follow the law, with the same fines and no double standards 3 3 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Boomer6969 Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Why are these idiot tourists still coming to this god forsaken place? 9 6 1 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post talahtnut Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 On seeing a check point ahead I like to do a U turn and proceed smartly in the opposite direction. 4 4 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scubascuba3 Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 If they want on the spot payment then they need to take payment via phone scan QR code, this ensures it goes to the correct place once checked 6 4 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post edwinchester Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Asking foreigners for an international driving permit is a favourite here in Kanchanaburi too during high season. Got asked for mine a while ago, said I didn't have one and was directed to the roadside table to write up a fine. When I was asked for id I handed over my Thai motorcycle license. Fortunately the cop had a sense of humour and waved me on although my wife later suggested I was being a little provocative. 5 4 2 1 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post freedomnow Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 22 minutes ago, talahtnut said: On seeing a check point ahead I like to do a U turn and proceed smartly in the opposite direction. Haha, yes seen that and they don't follow ever....try that in the west and it would be a chase and some additional rule broken on top of the fine. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Orinoco Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said: I was stopped because my partner on the back did not have a helmet, they made me park the bike, walk to the ATM, get cash, pay them 500 baht for having a passenger with no helmet. The helmet had been stolen off of the bike at the gym we were at just an hour before, I'm very careful with my helmet when I'm in the gym. Can't go loosing that. Edited January 18, 2023 by Orinoco 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Emdog Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Boomer6969 said: Why are these idiot tourists still coming to this god forsaken place? Many of us are atheists, and figure a good way to get away from the god crowd.... 3 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post peter zwart Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 They have some financial damage to make up for after the financially disastrous C season. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, snoop1130 said: Apart from being the law, it also pertains to your insurance liability if you have an accident. Insurance will not cover you if you don’t have the proper license. If you have a bad accident, and end up in hospital, your insurance will not cover your hospital expenses. Factually incorrect, Thai government minimum insurance (for the motorbike) covers all riders, legal or illegal, for medical expenses up to 40,000bht. Edited January 18, 2023 by BritManToo 8 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KannikaP Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 20 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Factually incorrect, Thai government minimum insurance (for the motorbike) covers all riders, legal or illegal, for medical expenses up to 40,000bht. Won't get very far on 40k! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PremiumLane Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 5 hours ago, snoop1130 said: To legally rent and ride a motorbike in Thailand you MUST have a Thai motorbike driving license, not a car driving license or a foreign car driving license. If you have a foreign motorbike license AND a current International Driving Permit you will be legal. Not if you have a licence that is in English, then it is legal for around 6 months from entering the country. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blumpie Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 This is very true - if you don't have the proper license and are doing anything illegal like this on vacation your insurance will simply not pay for your medical care due to an accident. Full stop. It's important to be mindful of decisions abroad and be careful and think of the consequences. I always have an IDL with me because many countries are insisting on them now. ITs worth getting it done in your home country, but ours only lasts for one year. Question: Do you need a Thai Drivers license for a motor scooter? ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blumpie Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 4 hours ago, Orinoco said: I'm very careful with my helmet when I'm in the gym. Can't go loosing that. I wear a jock strap and cup at all times, and strap pillows around my body. Beat that buddy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 2 hours ago, KannikaP said: 2 hours ago, BritManToo said: Factually incorrect, Thai government minimum insurance (for the motorbike) covers all riders, legal or illegal, for medical expenses up to 40,000bht. Won't get very far on 40k! Indeed... especially if you come off and smash your head without a helmet... some hospitals charge 18,000 baht for a few stitches !!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topt Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 40 minutes ago, PremiumLane said: Not if you have a licence that is in English, then it is legal for around 6 months from entering the country. Is "around" a legal definition of time........... Can you give a citation for that...............? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post soumanioco Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 FYI, THB 1,000 is the highest they can charge for licence and is only for foreigners. For the same offence Thais get a ticket as low as THB 300. 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damrongsak Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 7 hours ago, edwinchester said: Asking foreigners for an international driving permit is a favourite here in Kanchanaburi too during high season. Got asked for mine a while ago, said I didn't have one and was directed to the roadside table to write up a fine. When I was asked for id I handed over my Thai motorcycle license. Fortunately the cop had a sense of humour and waved me on although my wife later suggested I was being a little provocative. I got an IDP for a recent visit. My US license is for a car, but I had the guy also stamp the motorcycle endorsement. I do have a Thai motorbike license I got in 1978. It's still valid as I paid for the lifetime license. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AgentSmith Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 8 hours ago, freedomnow said: Haha, yes seen that and they don't follow ever....try that in the west and it would be a chase and some additional rule broken on top of the fine. Did that in Hua Hin once and surely they followed me. 2 minutes later a cop on a big bike cornered me. I just paid up and off I went again. Will never do that again. I have a Thai license now. Always wear a helmet. Papers are in order (it's my own bike). And when I go out I take a taxi so no drunk driving. Never had any issues since that one encounter. Just drive how you would drive in your country of origin. Say what you want about LOS but we all known that driving without a license is not a smart thing to do. If only because of insurance. 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Artisi Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 10 hours ago, Boomer6969 said: Why are these idiot tourists still coming to this god forsaken place? Do you live in this god forsaken place or are you an off-shore expert on Thailand? 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bendejo Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Isn't "driving while farang" itself enough to demand money? 1 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AussieinThaiJim Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Don’t ever pay “CASH”! Ask for the ticket and go to the nearest police station and pay! Why do the police look for farang in Phuket and Pattaya because it’s easy money in the pocket! 2 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kwilco Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 11 hours ago, snoop1130 said: The fines are now, routinely, 1000 baht. In the past tourists going through checkpoints without a helmet or the correct license could usually expect an on-the-spot fine of 500 baht. Oh well, inflation… Inflation??? - I rote about this as soon as it was announced that there was a new range of fines for various road traffic offices. Inevitably this is a green light to any for of fines that they want to "impose" at check points. As yet Thailand has neither the trained traffic police nor the court system to enforce or deal with modern traffic violations - they do however have a pretty good system for collecting money at the side of the road. 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cheapcanuck Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Tea Money went up I see. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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