Report Drive Drunk, Lose Your Car: Thailand’s OAG Pushes Tough New Proposal

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

So what? The drunk driving morons would then have to keep paying the banks or finance companies, or if they cannot afford the payments on their confiscated vehicles they can sell their homes or if they need their car  for their work then they will have to get another job even if it is just labouring, there are plenty of these jobs in Thailand, and if it is a farang then they should just be allowed to take a job reserved for Thai's until their loans are paid off.

This may seem harsh on these selfish drunken drivers, but it is no more than what they deserve.

Most Thais would just stop the payments and accept the court order (5 years no credit, bank account or property ownership). They usually sign over anything they own to a family member before the court proceedings.

 

This idea would result in Thai banks Vs Thai government, and the Thai government wouldn't allow that situation to arrive. The suggestion is essentially a fantasy that could never happen.

[NoshowJones]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Most Thais would just stop the payments and accept the court order (5 years no credit, bank account or property ownership). They usually sign over anything they own to a family member before the court proceedings.

 

This idea would result in Thai banks Vs Thai government, and the Thai government wouldn't allow that situation to arrive. The suggestion is essentially a fantasy that could never happen.

Yes, I suppose you are right, but surely there are ways that could safeguard the banks and finance companies.

 

[newnative]

"Consistency".  Uhh, oh.

[10baht]

On 6/16/2025 at 3:51 AM, webfact said:

drunk drivers losing more than just their licence – their cars could be seized too!

Let's do this to motorbike drivers going the wrong way on a street.

[Khun Roberto]

Putting increased power in the hand of traffic cops will also increase bribery.

[kingstonkid]

16 hours ago, DezLez said:

You obviously do not live in a populous are where the cops make their money from "no helmet" enforcement, AKA a brown envelope/500baht in the hand.

 

Yeah but again you collect the fine then let Somnchai get back on his bike and drive away.  What is the sense in that.  It would be better to have a helmet maker present at these checkpoints, who would charge for the helmets and make them buy one.   

You can make your money on the extra for sale.  If they don't want to buy one, then fine the bike stays there until either they do or it is loaded on a truck and taken to the compound.

[kingstonkid]

16 hours ago, TedG said:

I'm not a fan of property seizure by the government.   The goverment is always on the up and up.  

 

No but if it stops one person from driving drunk it is worth it.  

When they first started in Canada they did it near shopping malls.  If you were over the limit, your car was driven and parked at the shopping mall, and you were allowed to pick up your keys at the police station the next day after blowing clear.

 

The challenge with letting them have their cars back is that they can still drive the car without a license and they can still drink and drive.   Remember also that while they will not have the car in most cases they will still have to be making their payments on the vehicle so they get a double hit.

 

Eventually, people start to learn, and families care more.

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

So what? The drunk driving morons would then have to keep paying the banks or finance companies, or if they cannot afford the payments on their confiscated vehicles they can sell their homes

 

Wouldn't they just declare bankruptcy ?

 

I know a couple of lads that had cars on finance.

failed to make payment.

vehicles repossed.

bankruptcy declared.

change name get new ID card.

get finance on new vehicle.

rinse

and

repeat

 

 

[scorecard]

23 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

In other words, forfeiting the contents of their wallets on the roadside.

 

But maybe that person has big money in bank account and only keeps cash small change in their wallets, and has large amounts of money in bank accounts and has many very valuable assets in houses, land etc.

 

So how will 'forfeiting the contents of their wallet' have any impact?

[gravia]

So the car is owned by the bank or leasing co. if confiscated they can be sold to recover the outstanding debt, so the loser would be the owner, But if the car is owned by a third party then the difficulty starts

[kiwikeith]

On 6/16/2025 at 1:25 PM, hotchilli said:

Do it, and make it mandatory... time the madness stopped

Enforcement would be needed so this is a good idea but highly unlikely to be enforced 

[Photoguy21]

And if the refuse to be breath tested at the scene automatically arrest them for being drunk and disorderly in charge of a motor vehicle.

[radiochaser]

On 6/15/2025 at 9:12 PM, seajae said:

hahahahahaha, this would see probably half or more of cars removed, what they need to do is get the machines that turn cars into a metal box/cube  at the check points, watching their cars squashed might make the idiots realize what they have done

Make the owner press the button that starts the car crushing machine!

[paul1804]

Why do they make these statements, its predominately hot air! If they do actually impose this law which they should the RTP will pocket most of the fines at the scene, unless it is a hi so which of course they will be exempted from the rule!! I think I need to stop reading this forums posts, after 5 years I am becoming quite cynical!!

[remobb]

Well, it's a good idea but I can see more drivers doing a runner.

[RonJr]

On 6/16/2025 at 5:42 AM, blaze master said:

If only it was that simple. Many cases will never get past the roadside payoff. 

 

The corrupt police force needs attended to first. 

Exactly! now instead of paying them 1500 baht each, per helmet they seize vehicle and Ill have to pay much more to drive it home! 

which they often allow despite how wasted you are 😉 

[RonJr]

5 minutes ago, remobb said:

Well, it's a good idea but I can see more drivers doing a runner.

the civilian spotters help stop run aways! 

[stix40]

Lol the streets will be empty ! 

 

[Ralf001]

Just now, stix40 said:

Lol the streets will be empty ! 

 

 

Why ?

[Aussie999]

Have they mentioned this so time back, but nothing came of it, partly due to it affecting families too much...they also threatened to cancel drivers licences, but nothing came of that, probably because they realise the reality, that a high percentage of Thai drivers don't have a licence, so cancelling some will not stop them from driving. Lack of policing, and enforcement, creates the problems, now the just try and show they doing something...nothing will change.

[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Why ?

Think humour, or have you lost it.

[outsidetrader]

And if the car is not in your name ,what ?

How about companies and rental agencies etc , thats not fair now is it ?

So they can confiscate the vehicle even if its not in the drivers name ?

Makes Thai scense only , there's a rarely common scense to be found out here ,)

[outsidetrader]

On 6/16/2025 at 5:36 AM, quake said:

Hey a good news thread.

Go for it. 

Again ,its a non issue as they whoever the owner is ,the driver will have to pay to get the car released. There is nothing new about this whatsoever

Of course they will not permit the driver to continue if intoxicated .Therefore the vehicle will be put in a compound .Simple as and been like that forever .

Who,wants drunkards,on the road anyway ,whoever they are,?