Traffic Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System

[kiwikeith]

18 hours ago, FlorC said:

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

 

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

 

They have forgotten enforcement, you must enforce a law to make it work.

Here in Hua Hin they only pick on people going into town, they leave the schools alone Thais have taken no notice of the new fine and nothing has changed there is thousands riding around with no helmets

[crazykopite]

2 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

I'll go you one better.  Have the RTP appear at a high school at going home time for the kids and be at every exit from the school. Every kid riding a motorbike without a helmet or license is issued with a fine, the bike gets impounded and is not released from impound until a license and/or helmet is produced and the impound fee is paid. The impound fee needs to be a minimum of 5k baht. Start with the young ones as it will be the parents that have to bear the financial penalty, and the kids will soon learn they must follow the rules. Word will get out after this happens at a couple of randomly selected schools and police check points. It's the ONLY way they will learn.

You have to be 16 years of age and have a license and you can only ride a bike up to 110 cc I was hit by a 13 year old who drove out of a side street the police were involved there was a crowd of 15 plus Thais within minutes with me on my own . The first thing the police asked me do I have first class insurance I said yes he said then no problem I said what’s the age she then owned up to her age and I told the police the law for riding a bike I then asked the police man if he would like to view my onboard camera ! By then the parents had arrived and they spoke good English papa admitted liability and off we went to the police station where he made his statement and asked me not to go through my insurance company as he would pay I think the bill was just short of 150,000 baht the value of my car which was only a year old was in access of one million baht !

[impulse]

7 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

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.

 

IMO, impounding vehicles is all part of enforcement.  Along with increasing fines for each subsequent violation. 

 

If they don't pay a second time, impound their vehicle until they do.  And don't issue annual registrations until all fines are paid.

 

[lordgrinz]

Just now, impulse said:

 

IMO, impounding vehicles is all part of enforcement.  Along with increasing fines for each subsequent violation. 

 

If they don't pay a second time, impound their vehicle until they do.  And don't issue annual registrations until all fines are paid.

 

 

The problem is that there is no mechanism to impound, I know of no law that allows it, so basically it can't be enforced. They need to add laws to make this work, otherwise all they can do is keep writing tickets that never get paid. 

[LOS1]

2 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

Almost nobody wears helmets here in Pattaya. And the police presence is sparse.

 

What upsets me is when children don't have helmets on. That's inexcusable. I understand some of these people are poor, but that should be a very high priority.

You own a motorbike then the helmet (s) should be part of the bike. 

[garygooner]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Meanwhile, less severe infractions like undertaking or using mobile phones without hands-free devices while driving attract fines from 500 bah

How is this less severe? Looking at your phone & not the road. 

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

 

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.

 

It is a joke but even then they can't do it.  I had to do the driving test last year.  I was the only non-Thai in a group of about 20.  I passed, along with only 4 others.  The remainder had to return on another day and retake only the specific driving manoeuvre they failed.  No actual road driving at all, I doubt some of the group had ever driven a car before the test.

[bluemoon58]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

curb road accidents

Wearing a helmet doesn't curb accidents, sensible driving does! 

 

They need to be heavily clamping down on the thousands of untrained, unlicensed, untaxed and uninsured drivers. 

[digger70]

Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System.

 

C'mon now That makes one Laugh.They Have to Enforce the LAW FIRST  Before  they  can Try to Fine/Book/Arrest   Collect Money from the  Offenders .

[wombat]

there is no Skepticism ....its fact..no school kid has the money for the no helmet fine

[IvorBiggun2]

Does the wearing of helmets apply to people riding in the sidecar of a motorcycle? If so, who pays the fine?

[FlorC]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

 

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.

You can't pay the yearly road tax without paying the fines first.

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, FlorC said:

You can't pay the yearly road tax without paying the fines first.

 

I see vehicles on the road with stickers from 3-4 years ago, they just keep driving.

[FlorC]

5 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I see vehicles on the road with stickers from 3-4 years ago, they just keep driving.

They must never see a checkpoint.

Police do look at my sticker.

[BarraMarra]

4 hours ago, DUNROAMIN said:

Just how are they going to enforce these new policies when the police do not patrol the streets.?????

vehicle recognition cameras spot the reg plate. So riders on bikes without helmets can be identified.

[IvorBiggun2]

26 minutes ago, FlorC said:

You can't pay the yearly road tax without paying the fines first.

 

And how many pay the 'yearly road tax'? I'd say 'not many' other than those that obey the laws.

[Boedog]

They talk about road safety, that's laughable, just looking at there fines list you see most of those daily 

[IvorBiggun2]

5 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

vehicle recognition cameras spot the reg plate. So riders on bikes without helmets can be identified.

 

Not if the bike has no plates.

[FlorC]

4 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

 

And how many pay the 'yearly road tax'? I'd say 'not many' other than those that obey the laws.

As I wrote 5 posts above .

Those people probably only drive on rural road without police and checkpoints.

[RedRoadRunner]

Thai comedians.....🤣🤣🤣

[IvorBiggun2]

3 minutes ago, FlorC said:

As I wrote 5 posts above .

Those people probably only drive on rural road without police and checkpoints.

 

Don't they have police in rural areas?

[fdimike]

In Udon Thani the Traffic police are like little ghosts who are never seen.  Traffic rules are hardly ever obeyed.  red light runners, U turns on a red light driving on the wrong side of the road are seen every day here.  It's like a 3 ring circus without a director.  I like to refer to it as "disorganized chaos" !

[lordgrinz]

43 minutes ago, FlorC said:

They must never see a checkpoint.

Police do look at my sticker.

 

I haven't seen a checkpoint since I think 2017. This is here in Bangkok/Nonthanuri area, but even when I travel I haven't seen one. They aren't very common around here.

[CLW]

Fines are still not high enough. Reckless driving 1,000 THB. What a joke

[FlorC]

13 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

 

Don't they have police in rural areas?

So many smaller roads , so few police.

Not criticizing , I like it that way.

[FlorC]

1 minute ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I haven't seen a checkpoint since I think 2017. This is here in Bangkok/Nonthanuri area, but even when I travel I have seen one. They aren't very common around here.

I drive to the provincial city for shopping and there are 3 checkpoints , but not always "working".

In the little city itself they have some improviced short time checkpoints.

Annoying because then I have to put on my belt. 🤨

[SpaceKadet]

What is the difference between violation 11 and 17, or violation 21 and 22?

Or is it just the weird Thai logic in play?

[nakhonandy]

22 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

 

 

 

[nakhonandy]

I am 100% behind this, when you consider all the road deaths, the cause is usually down to a couple of simple things.

1, wear helmets. Motorbike death in the west dropped vastly when this was intrduced.

2. Speeding. Excessive speed in urban areas kills. No need to do 80 in a 30 zone.

3, no licence. It is relatively cheap to get one and means you can buy insurance, in the event of an accident, you're covered.

Carry on with the implementation and fines RTP. Make Thailands roads safe.

 

5 minutes ago, nakhonandy said:

 

 

[WHansen]

5 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

Regarding left-hand overtaking, which would not be allowed, the government has actually promoted it by instituting 3 different speeds on 3 lanes, namely, 80, 100, and 120 kmph.
Someone driving 110 in the right lane can then not be overtaken by someone who wants to drive 120.
The most ridiculous system I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, undertaking is the norm on Thailand's highways due to overladen pickups and inexperienced/ignorant drivers sitting in the fast/overtaking lane at 100kmh and refusing to allow the queue of traffic behind them pass. 

Being honest, i am guilty of this in Thailand, but not in the UK as driving standards are much higher and if caught you will get pulled over and issued a fine.