Buckle up! An announcement requiring taxi drivers to warn their passengers to wear their safety belts has been issued and will become effective in November. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette, yesterday, August 7.

 

The warning was declared by the National Police Office, which aims to establish a safety practice for taxi drivers in notifying and ensuring that passengers obey safety laws and wear their seat belts. The National Police Chief, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, signed the ruling.

 

The crucial gist of the announcement highlights the appropriateness of establishing a standard for both public motorists and vehicles for hire used to transport passengers. This involves alerting passengers or offering notifications in these vehicles to comply with safety belt laws and safe standing or sitting protocols for certain types of vehicles.

 

This new implementation focuses on taxis and public transportation over private vehicles. A law update last year meant that, from September 5, the driver and all passengers – including those in the back seat – are required by law to wear a safety belt, according to the Road Traffic Act (No.13) 2022. Previous laws only required the driver and front row passengers to strap in.

 

By Neill Fronde

Caption: Safety belts will now be required in taxis in Thailand, starting November. (via Wallpaper Flare)

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/thai-taxi-drivers-must-ensure-passenger-safety-belt-use-from-november

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-08

 

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One day wonder then?

What about the fourth passenger squeezed into the middle????

Seat belts, yes a great idea. i'm all for them.

But best,  not to have the accident in the first place.

But you don't truly care do  you Thailand. 

Carry on the madness Thailand.

Your the 100% experts at that. 

 

 

51 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

What about the fourth passenger squeezed into the middle????

that would be the fifth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple of years ago on the way to Don Muang airport from downtown BKK I stopped a taxi and as per usual sat at the back seat, to my surprise I could not find the seat belt attachment. After five minutes struggle driver finally managed to take it out under the seat and we were happily on our way. Has things changed since than? Just wondering. 

Edited August 8, 20232 yr by nowhereman

I haven't been in too many cabs where the seatbelts were actually working, if there were even seatbelts in the back. Another all talk no action statement claiming kudos for something not done yet, never will be enforced. Never followed up and forgotten about in 2 weeks. I must see 100 motorcycles a day with no helmets and if they do usually a kiddies pink bicycle helmet with the chin strap undone. Its the thought that counts ????????

Edited August 8, 20232 yr by Kenny202

and to think they are only brining this law in now !

 

its 2023 for god sake.

 

only about 40 years behind the rest of the world then ???? 

a new law for a day.... but can it be done by a caretaker government??  Anyway only 1 day the RTP will check and than same as helmets on a motorcycle, sitting in the back of a pick up, black smoke cars, overloaded trucks... no worries 

Edited August 8, 20232 yr by ikke1959

2 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

a new law for a day.... but can it be done by a caretaker government??  Anyway only 1 day the RTP will check and than same as helmets on a motorcycle, sitting in the back of a pick up, black smoke cars, overloaded trucks... no worries 

That's how 3rd World countries operate, Thailand has no intention of moving forward, just sideways until everyone forgets the problems. Make grand gestures, not follow through on them, spend money on committees that never amount to anything, then rinse repeat. Thailand will never change, it doesn't actually want to, all it wants is more money for the pigs lining up at the trough. The RTP is one of the most useless police forces on the planet.

11 hours ago, KannikaP said:

One day wonder then?

Not even that...

And do the passengers have to warn the drivers to wear their seat belts? 
A number of taxis I have taken didn’t even have seat belts in the back seat 

I'm sure the taxi drivers will follow this law in the same way they follow tariff, speed requirements

, traffic light, overtaking, correct side of the road etc. laws. ????

Silly me I thought it was already law for all car occupants to wear seat belts.

Just another law to be ignored.

14 hours ago, bob smith said:

and to think they are only brining this law in now !

 

its 2023 for god sake.

 

only about 40 years behind the rest of the world then ???? 

That's not really a fair comparison. In a lot of those other countries it's a law that was brought in and then enforced.

Here it's a law brought in so somebody can announce it and then it will be ignored unless the police need the money

No mention for songtaews or public buses where there is more likelihood for mass injuries in a crash?

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Just another law to be ignored.

Laws are left wing

I commend this action. Of course, it will take a little time for taxi drivers to absorb it. They are still pondering over the law requiring the use of meters, you know, that associated with the sign on the roof of the vehicle TAXI METER. 

7 hours ago, swm59nj said:

A number of taxis I have taken didn’t even have seat belts in the back seat 

You must have been in some pretty old taxis, then, as they've been standard fitment by the manufacturers for many years and removing them makes no sense.  Why would a taxi owner, or a taxi co-operative, want to remove those belts from their vehicles?

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You must have been in some pretty old taxis, then, as they've been standard fitment by the manufacturers for many years and removing them makes no sense.  Why would a taxi owner, or a taxi co-operative, want to remove those belts from their vehicles?

They don't remove them, but they are not able to be used since the clamp buckles and/or belts are hidden under seat covers etc.

Edited August 9, 20232 yr by SABloke