Traffic Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System

[Photoguy21]

1 minute ago, Peterphuket said:

Then you could argue that it might be intentional, if not, it is stupidity.

It is intentional and also very stupid

[Gsxrnz]

The mistake was making the country's biggest criminal syndicate responsible for enforcing road safety. 

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

It is intentional and also very stupid

 

Still better than overtaking through an intersection or junction. You would think the solid line 30 meters on either side of the intersection would be a hint, but, nope.

[Photoguy21]

The list of penalties is far too lenient. Any driving which could lead to a fatality needs a very heavy fine. Second time remove the vehicle/bike and crush it plus a heavy fine and maybe some jail time. 

[Photoguy21]

1 minute ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Still better than overtaking through an intersection or junction. You would think the solid line 30 meters on either side of the intersection would be a hint, but, nope.

You are assuming they are thinking which is probably not the case

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

You are assuming they are thinking which is probably not the case

 

Better yet, we have real geniuses here, they even use the median line to pass between oncoming vehicles. You fall, you die.

[Photoguy21]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

 

Better yet, we have real geniuses here, they even use the median line to pass between oncoming vehicles. You fall, you die.

How about actually having a proper driving test and being strict of what a pass consists of?

[Aussie999]

I would have thought,teaching, both motorcycle and car, drivers how to drive safely... More stringent enforcement of road rules, and stronger punishment for offenders, a wai is not enough..all over Thailand, not only in a few centres, as is the current "crack down," would be the priority 

[ujayujay]

The content of the new fine schedule is understandable, but: Many Thais can't afford such amounts...what happens to them? When I look at the reality: A large proportion of motorcyclists don't even have a driver's license, let alone a license plate. There's a clear lack of understanding here in Thailand that regulations are necessary; education is needed, including from parents who often have no control over their children...and instead rely on smartphones for parenting!

[lordgrinz]

Just now, Photoguy21 said:

How about actually having a proper driving test and being strict of what a pass consists of?

 

I've seen the driving test here, drive 20 meters in the DLT parking lot, stop at a fake stop sign and stop line. Then park your car.....it's a joke.

[helloagain]

17 hours ago, FlorC said:

Is it for road safety or just to get more money ?

 

Not yet european style fines/theft , but getting there.

 

I once ask police who gets the money, I got no answer. So that says a lot.

Chalong police should come to rawai 30%  wear helmets. 70% do not

[spidermike007]

Public skepticism towards these measures stems partly from historical grievances against traffic law enforcement. Unclear regulations, inconsistent enforcement, and perceptions of being unfairly targeted by officers compound distrust. 

 

This is the big issue you either enforce the laws or you don't, but you don't enforce them selectively and you don't enforce them once in a while, that does not resonate with the public.

 

I would never get on a motorcycle without a very good helmet, and I think you should wear as good a helmet as you can afford, but I also think that the selective enforcement of the law is very confusing to people. If they enforce it consistently it's a good thing, let us hope that the RTP can learn to do their job properly. 

 

If driving on a motorbike, treat the activity as an act of war, in a sense that you may be mowed down or killed at any moment.

Maintain eyes in the back of your head. Watch everyone. Expect craziness, insanity, lack of reason, and a complete lack of courtesy and respect on the roads, at all times. Expect cars and trucks to be coming at you in the wrong lane. Expect people to overtake you with the slimmest of margins. And expect people to treat you with an exceptional lack of respect because your vehicle is smaller than theirs. 

 

And we really don't need any replies from old men on this forum who are bitter and lacking in compassion, about how everyone deserves what they get if they don't wear a helmet. 

[garzhe]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of BreizhAtao

 

Since the Royal Thai Police (RTP) implemented their overhauled traffic fines and sanctions on June 1, 2025, skepticism remains widespread among the Thai public. The revised system, aimed primarily at improving road safety, has yet to fully convince citizens despite its focus on critical areas such as helmet laws and unlicensed driving.

 

Key among the changes is the stringency concerning motorcycle helmet use. Under Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, both riders and passengers are mandated to wear helmets, with fines beginning at 1,000 baht. Notably, if both are caught without helmets, penalties can double. Police Lieutenant General Nithithorn Chintakanon, commander of the Traffic Police Bureau, points out that these requirements are central to the "Safe Roads Project," which seeks to curb road accidents and fatalities—a pressing issue nationwide.

 

Motorcycle accidents remain one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in Thailand, largely attributed to insufficient helmet use. Many opt out of wearing helmets due to comfort concerns, despite the added danger. The RTP's firm stance on helmet laws is part of broader efforts to change this mindset and enhance road safety.

 

Further reinforcing this, the RTP has set sanctions for other risky driving behaviors such as driving on pavements, against traffic flow, or ignoring traffic signals, each incurring fines starting at 1,000 baht. Meanwhile, less severe infractions like undertaking or using mobile phones without hands-free devices while driving attract fines from 500 baht upwards, subject to the offence’s seriousness.

 

New traffic fines and sanctions, effective since June 1, 2025 | Photo via Royal Thai Police

 

Public skepticism towards these measures stems partly from historical grievances against traffic law enforcement. Unclear regulations, inconsistent enforcement, and perceptions of being unfairly targeted by officers compound distrust. This sentiment is compounded by the Supreme Administrative Court's ruling on February 5, which declared RTP's traffic fines issued post-July 2020 as unlawful. The court highlighted that these fines unduly restricted motorists' rights to contest tickets—fixing fine rates without due regard—thus breaching constitutional rights.

 

The RTP's publication of detailed traffic offences and corresponding fines represents a positive, albeit necessary, step towards transparency. While this initiative may improve trust gradually, deep-seated issues, including enforcement consistency and legal clarity, continue to cloud public perceptions.

 

Despite the initiative's forward strides, addressing the underlying causes of distrust is vital. Enhancing the system's fairness and clarity, alongside reinforcing respectful enforcement practices, is essential for truly effective traffic law adherence. For now, the RTP’s focus remains on mitigating safety risks, but winning public confidence remains a significant challenge.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-13

 

 

 

[Peterphuket]

4 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

The content of the new fine schedule is understandable, but: Many Thais can't afford such amounts...what happens to them? When I look at the reality: A large proportion of motorcyclists don't even have a driver's license, let alone a license plate. There's a clear lack of understanding here in Thailand that regulations are necessary; education is needed, including from parents who often have no control over their children...and instead rely on smartphones for parenting!

Well, failure to pay a fine, in some Western countries they go on enforcing payment until you are left with no credit at all.
Then in Thailand things are more humane with the result that many fines are irrecoverable.

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

If driving on a motorbike, treat the activity as an act of war, in a sense that you may be mowed down or killed at any moment

 

The problem is that motorcycle riders are the worst drivers on Thai roads, by a large margin!

[FlorC]

5 minutes ago, helloagain said:

I once ask police who gets the money, I got no answer. So that says a lot.

Chalong police should come to rawai 30%  wear helmets. 70% do not

No , seatbelts and helmets are for personal safety , they should not be fined.

Certainly not 1000 B = about 3 days wages.

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, FlorC said:

No , seatbelts and helmets are for personal safety , they should not be fined.

Certainly not 1000 B = about 3 days wages.

 

Exactly, there are way more dangerous activities happening on Thai roads that are completely ignored unless a doctor dies in a Zebra crossing then everyone is in an uproar for a week, then back to the carnage as usual.

[impulse]

 

They're gonna be rich.  Rich, I tell you...

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, FlorC said:

No , seatbelts and helmets are for personal safety , they should not be fined.

Certainly not 1000 B = about 3 days wages.

 

Seatbelt and helmet laws should be treated as secondary violations.  Where they can't pull you over just for those, but they can pile on additional fines if you're not wearing them when you commit offenses that actually put others at risk.

I'd rather they focus on violations that put me and mine at risk.   But I'm sure the "hang-em-high" brigade will thumb me down.

 

 

[Humpy]

''its focus on critical areas such as helmet laws and unlicensed driving.''   

So if the license was from one of the ''no problem, we take the test for you con-artist scammers''  then that's OK I suppose ?

[SABloke]

500 Baht fines didn't work for helmets, so they raised it to 1,000 Baht - still no significant change in helmet use. So I think the figure is too low - let's make it 10,000 Baht and if that doesn't work let's raise ot to 100,000 Baht! Or, keep it at 500, but do active policing (not sitting at checkpoints) and actually enforce the existing law. 🙄

[impulse]

1 minute ago, Humpy said:

''its focus on critical areas such as helmet laws and unlicensed driving.''   

So if the license was from one of the ''no problem, we take the test for you con-artist scammers''  then that's OK I suppose ?

 

I'd gladly pay not to waste half a day doing those farcical tests.

 

 

[Jumbo1968]

They were repainting the red and white crossings outside my son’s school yesterday, no idea why as no one takes any notice of them.  The people directing the traffic in and out of the school at starting and finishing times must have hearts like lions as some vehicles/bikes take no notice of them.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Olof Karlsson said:

A system where the policemen can collect fines will relentlessly create corruption.

The road traffic situation in every country is an evolutionary process and not all started at the same time.

I was stationed in Germany early 70s and that was the way it was done.

We were heading back to camp one day and my friend went a bit  too fast in a roadwork  area. The motorbike police pulled and the conversation went something like

40 marks

What

50  marks

You can't do that

60 marks

I don't have enough

70 Marks

Paid up at 80 Marks.

 

Be thankful they haven't read that page of the handbook yet.

[riverhigh]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

Work on issues in this order:

 

1) Wrong way drivers

2) Stop sign and Red light runners

3) Dangerous and Illegal lane changes

4) Driving through Zebra crossing when pedestrians are inside of them.

5) Speeding

 

Then worry about helmets.

 

I take it you are not a fan of the helmet wearing brigade. People just don't understand the imprtance of hair integrity, right? No one should be forced to wear a helmet after going the hair salon.

[lordgrinz]

Just now, riverhigh said:

 

I take it you are not a fan of the helmet wearing brigade. People just con't understand the imprtance of hair integrity, right? No one should be forced to wear a helmet after going the hair salon.

 

I believe in seatbelt use and helmet use, but there are much more dangerous activities happening that should be dealt with first. 

[shackleton]

The police are not bothered with school children riding 3 or 4 on a motor bike with no helmets same lots of other Thais 

So who will pay the fines 

Yes you guessed it Foreigners and Tourists 🤑

[NedR69]

2 hours ago, Foppa99 said:

80% Drive without helmet here in Khon Kaen and the police  don't care.

The only place I've gotten checked, car and motorbike was in KK.  Twice in February only a few days apart.  

[impulse]

57 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

How about actually having a proper driving test and being strict of what a pass consists of?

 

That's not going to do it. 

 

Like most noobs, I was a hazard when I first got licensed.  But I was more afraid of the cops and big $$ fines than I was of a flaming wreck.  Because the fines were a lot more probable than the flaming wreck.  So I practiced driving to avoid getting tickets.  Not coincidentally, that was great practice to avoid flaming wrecks.

 

The solution is enforcement.  Make it expensive to drive like an idiot and fewer people will drive like idiots.  And there will be fewer flaming wrecks.

 

And focus on the behavior that puts others (like me) at risk.  Not on helmets.  Those are just a cash grab.  Low hanging fruit.

 

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

Make it expensive to drive like an idiot and fewer people will drive like idiots.  And there will be fewer flaming wrecks.

 

People don't pay the fines, and there is no repercussions for not paying. Plus, they just keep driving illegally. Until they impound vehicles at considerable costs to retrieve them, nothing will happen.