Traffic Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System

[gejohesch]

7 hours ago, Foppa99 said:

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

But they wear masks against COVID, 'cause everyone knows COVID is transmitted by mosquitoes and flies that could be swallowed up inadvertently by motorcycle riders if not protecting their mouths!

[Photoguy21]

5 hours 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.

Exactly

[Photoguy21]

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

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.

 

This sounds crazy I know but the idea of a driving test is to make sure you are competent to drive a vehicle not to learn once you are on the road.

[lor]

7 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.

Years ago I talked to a police chief about this problem. He said they could stop all the kids as they leave school but all that would happen is the Thai's would stop[ sending their children to school and they would get no education. So the status quo was the better of two evils.

[Dart12]

Huge fine increases in the past 5 years.  

Seems they are learning from the west that there is easy money in targeting vehicles.  

Helmet fine was like 250? or 500 total then?

[hotelbri]

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

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

Total rubbish!!!!!. I have never paid a speeding ticket in 15 years and have taxed insured and sold vehicles with no problem...

[Felt 35]

"Negligent or scary driving"

Easy job for police then they only have to block⛔ all roads in country.

Felt

[rattlesnake]

7 hours ago, Foppa99 said:

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

 

I've seen an uptick in helmet wearing in Hua Hin these past two weeks and the fine threat does seem to be working. The next step is to explain to people that need to fasten the strap…

[Moonlover]

5 hours ago, FlorC said:

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

Certainly not 1000 B = about 3 days wages.

I disagree with this. Your comment suggests that the individual should have the right to decide whether they risk themselves by ignoring such regulations. 

 

Whilst they may be some merit having the freedom to choose, (although I can't think what) it ignores the fact that road accidents impose significant costs on society, including economic losses, healthcare expenses, and intangible costs related to human suffering and loss of life. 

[impulse]

45 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

This sounds crazy I know but the idea of a driving test is to make sure you are competent to drive a vehicle not to learn once you are on the road.

 

I'm all for that.  But that needs to be a starting point.  That just confirms a minimum skillset.

 

Continued education comes from trying to keep from getting a ticket.  Which means enforcement and chase cars and speed radar and... and... 

 

That's how I improved.  I was a poor student and couldn't afford tickets.  Not unlike most Thai workers who would be dearly stung by even a 500-1000 baht fine. (And vehicle impoundment if they don't pay).

 

 

[connda]

Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System

 

Probably because every Thai, including every long stay expat, know that this has nothing to do with "public safety" and everything to do with revenue collection. 

[SpaceKadet]

7 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.

If I'm driving on a two lane highway, and driving over the speed limit, which I always do, I always drive in the right hand lane, and will not move for anybody. It's dangerous driving in the left hand lane on most roads I've seen here. Weaving in and out to overtake slow trucks, bikes and other slow traffic. And contesting all the ghost drivers/riders. Besides, generally, the road surface is much worse in the left hand lane because of the heavy traffic.

 

Some (long) time ago, there was a question here on TV if it was allowed to overtake in the left hand lane on a clearly marked two lane highway. A member consulted the Highway Code in Thai, and replied that is was allowed. Just like on the American highways.

The rules are different in Europe though, but then, drivers are better at following rules there.

 

I think the violation as stated above is for the standard one lane roads.

[thailand49]

Helmet is the easiest thing to pick needed but  not the full reason why the death and accident rate is what it is but that is consistent with the leadership in Thailand for solutions🤣

[OldmanJ]

What type of crap is this,driving while using a mobile phone is classified as less severe.It distracts people and kills,what are you Thai government people thinking,if at all.

[FlorC]

1 hour ago, hotelbri said:

Total rubbish!!!!!. I have never paid a speeding ticket in 15 years and have taxed insured and sold vehicles with no problem...

You live a charmed life.

[Bwazi]

On 6/13/2025 at 10:17 AM, 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

 

 

Glad that overtaking on the left is illegal as it is always very scary to experience when I am on the Bolt taxis.

How will they enforce the helmet for passengers requirement with Bolt drivers?

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Public Skepticism Persists as Thailand Enforces New Traffic Fine System

 

Probably because every Thai, including every long stay expat, know that this has nothing to do with "public safety" and everything to do with revenue collection. 

 

Because it isn't a sustain act of enforcement, just a short publicity stunt.

[kwilco]

Much is said about enforcement being a key part of road safety – one of the so-called “5 Es” (Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Evaluation, and Emergency response). And yes, we often hear the refrain: “The police just need to do their job.” But the reality is far more complex.
Thailand has recently raised fines for traffic violations such as not wearing a helmet, but without deep structural changes, this move may prove meaningless.
The root problem lies in how the system operates – or doesn’t. For fines to be a deterrent, police must know how to stop offenders, issue penalties correctly, and report them within a functioning system. Right now, that system simply isn’t there.
Earlier this year, the courts ruled that all traffic fines issued directly by police since 2020 were unconstitutional. This is because Thai police have historically acted as both judge and enforcer, with very limited recourse for drivers to challenge a fine. In practice, “on-the-spot” fines bypassed judicial oversight, even though technically only a court can impose a fine.
What this means is that, before any real progress can be made, Thailand will need a major overhaul of both the police procedures and the court system – as well as better road design and traffic management. Without that, higher fines may sound tough, but they risk being just more ink on paper.

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, Bwazi said:

Glad that overtaking on the left is illegal as it is always very scary to experience when I am on the Bolt taxis.

How will they enforce the helmet for passengers requirement with Bolt drivers?

It probably isn't actually illegal

[kwilco]

12 hours ago, Foppa99 said:

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

this is wghy no progess in understanding is made amongst the expat community in Thailand - this statement is pure supposition without any solid figures to back it up - it also ignores the fact that helmet wearing varies dramatically around the country and makes no impliciations of the significance of helmet wearing with regards to road safety as well as assumptions about police policies and who decides them

[kwilco]

Most of the posts on this topic show no understanding of road safety, just people taking the opportunity to declare how superior they consider themselves to Thai people  - hiding their ignorance behind a fog of cynicism

[lordgrinz]

51 minutes ago, kwilco said:

It probably isn't actually illegal

 

Section 45. No driver shall overtake other conveyance by the left side of the overtaken conveyance, except in the following cases:

(1) the conveyance which is going to be overtaken is turning right, or gives right turning signal;

(2) such road is divided into two or more lanes of the same direction.

[treetops]

8 hours ago, FlorC said:

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

 

6 hours ago, hotelbri said:

Total rubbish!!!!!. I have never paid a speeding ticket in 15 years and have taxed insured and sold vehicles with no problem...

 

It cdertainly was the practice but should have been discontinued following a decision in court late last year, although I'm not sure about how, or if, the Thai legal system uses these precedents.

 

https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/court-sides-with-motorist-in-dispute-over-car-registration-policy/55876

 

[kwilco]

46 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Section 45. No driver shall overtake other conveyance by the left side of the overtaken conveyance, except in the following cases:

(1) the conveyance which is going to be overtaken is turning right, or gives right turning signal;

(2) such road is divided into two or more lanes of the same direction.

which covers just about any situation you like - this is from the 1979 English translation and does not mention the bit about filtering either.  THis is a thread about enforcement and you think that one partial quote in some way is relevent - as always you show absolutely no understanding of road safety in Thailand....or how to use references and citations.

The reality is filtering or lane-splitting by motorcycles in Thailand exists in a legal grey zone. While not explicitly banned, the Land Traffic Act prohibits any driving that causes danger or obstruction—so reckless filtering can lead to fines or liability in a crash. In practice, slow filtering between stopped cars is widely tolerated, especially in Bangkok, but becomes illegal if done aggressively, through red lights, or on the hard shoulder. Riders should keep speeds low, avoid filtering in hazardous areas, and watch for sudden obstacles. Car drivers must not block filtering paths or endanger motorcyclists.Against this background and the police and courts you get some understanding on how enforcement is likely to fail.

[lordgrinz]

5 minutes ago, kwilco said:

which covers just about any situation you like - this is from the 1979 English translation and does not mention the bit about filtering either.  THis is a thread about enforcement and you think that one partial quote in some way is relevent - as always you show absolutely no understanding of road safety in Thailand....or how to use references and citations.

 

It's the law, period.

[kwilco]

40 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

It's the law, period.

it beggars belief how daft you can be about how things work in Thaiuoand or how the law is interpreted and how do you think it is relevent to the OP??? You really are a piece of work.

[lordgrinz]

Note to self: Don't converse with the village idiot. Just leave him on the ignore list.

[RonJr]

22 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.

good idea, need to check pipe noise too and triple fine of caught with illegal pipe! 😉 

would luv to see those lil bastards bikes impounded