Bangkok Traffic Enforcement

[Lancelot]

I thrashed my Mini Beast, Honda Wave CZi, to Bangkok recently and was stopped and fined going and comming by the Boys in Brown...

The first time they nailed me was on the frontage road parallel to Highway 3 near the junction with lower Sukumvit Ave. The cop was clever in that while I was ridding the left/middle lane white line, he walked towards me and forced me to the right lane, then motioned for me to stop. He explained that "motocy not allow this lane" so I held a B100 note next to my drivers license and his eyes lit up. Cop: "You pay here? Me" "Yeah, sure." Cop" "Two hunred, two hunred!" I started my bike and he said "OK, mai pen rai" and patted me on the back as in nice doing business with you farang... Of course there was no receipt.

A few days later I was leaving Bangkok, travelling east bound on Sukumvit near Ekamai when once again the cops flagged me down. This time I was a little more assertive and explained that I was in the middle lane to pass a stopped taxi. The cop was having none of it and kept on writing the ticket. He was however exceedingly polite and even stopped traffic so that I could cross the street and pay the fine at an impromtu police station(cop sitting at a table writing receipts.) I paid B200, the same as the Thai infront of me and was given an official receipt, that I gave to the arresting officer who cheerfully returned my license.

Well, it had to happen eventually... Going on eight years in Thailand and having been stopped several times before but only a perfunctory license/tax sticker checks and never any attempt at shaking me down for a bribe. I've seen debates on Thai Visa about the legality of fining motorbike drivers for the right lane offense but lets face it, the law is what ever the cop says it is

Helmet and right lane fines, just an easy way to make the traffic enforcement statistics look good. Lest me forget, this is Thailand...

[Chunky1]

Buy an automobile or follow the traffic laws. Problem solved.

[onnut]

Buy an automobile or follow the traffic laws. Problem solved.

Chunks

I have a car and drive within the law but still get pulled over for a shakedown sometimes. Normal at toll booths where they see a white bloke at the wheel.

To the OP, take no notice of Chunks coz he has no idea about driving in Thailand proven with another thread not so long ago.

[moe666]

Why stop keep going he will not chase you.or radio ahead.

[Lancelot]

Why stop keep going he will not chase you.or radio ahead.

Yes I thought about that; however, I've been stopped in the past and never had a problem, only a quick document check and I was on my way. I suppose its my life's experience; I would not dream of trying to evade the traffic cops in the USA, so I automatically pull over here in Thailand. Maybe I should go native?

(The second time the cops were pulling over just about everybody; it wasn't targeted at farangs. Not that that make the right lane offence legitament...)

[rick625]

I ride a Harley in Pattaya and have gotten pulled over a few times for being in the right hand lane. I explained that I was passing a truck. He said that I should pass on the left shoulder. I told him that I just took the written test at the DMV and that is not correct. Played a few games about registration, tax, and license. All were in order but the threat of having to get back to Pattaya (40 KM away at the time) to pay the ticket persuaded me to pay the 200 right there. I was also told that since I have lived here for 5 years that "I should know better".

[robblok]

Buy an automobile or follow the traffic laws. Problem solved.

Even in my car they pull me over.. and its just a moneymaker its not the real law even on a bike you can go on other lanes if the ones on the left are blocked. (have a lot of traffic). But if its empty then they can pull you over both car and bike.

[powderpuff]

Why does anyone object to Chunky running up his post count?

[Chunky1]

Buy an automobile or follow the traffic laws. Problem solved.

Chunks

I have a car and drive within the law but still get pulled over for a shakedown sometimes. Normal at toll booths where they see a white bloke at the wheel.

To the OP, take no notice of Chunks coz he has no idea about driving in Thailand proven with another thread not so long ago.

Yes Onnut I will never have your knowledge when it comes to potted plants, parking and other automobile issues.

[ballpoint]

Why does anyone object to Chunky running up his post count?

He can run it as fast as he likes, as long as he stays in the left lane.

[Chunky1]

Why does anyone object to Chunky running up his post count?

He can run it as fast as he likes, as long as he stays in the left lane.

Hey, I was just in the right lane to pass that invisible taxi, just like the previous 9,999,9999 drivers who were pulled over. I am sure you automobile drivers can testify that motorbikes never violate any traffic laws or drive dangerously nor do they ever drive in the incorrect lane, except when the need to pass invisible cars arises.

[robblok]

Very nice feature that you ladies can take your anxiety out on other users via the reputation rating system! Gosh darn it, let me give him a -1 rating!

It shows how people think about you.

[Lancelot]

He has proven enough times he has no brain or does not use them.

But he does get attention...

[robblok]

He has proven enough times he has no brain or does not use them.

But he does get attention...

Not all attention is good

[IanForbes]

Just consider it another tax in life. Government authorities dream up all sorts of schemes to tax us. Any traffic offense (real or imagined) in Canada will cost well over the equivalent of 3000 baht and more likely 6000 baht. And, there is NO option in bribing a policeman to get it lower. It is just a matter of time before you get a ticket for some infraction.

[Lancelot]

Just consider it another tax in life.

Agreed. Let's call it the "I looove Thailand tax"

[bonobo]

On the other hand, driving down Phetkasem today, in heavy rush hour traffic, a pickup was merrily driving west in the eastbound lane, causing all sorts of problems.  He drove right past the cops managing the u-turns, and neither of the two cops even batted an eye. 

[powderpuff]

Amazing Thailand

[gregb]

He said that I should pass on the left shoulder. I told him that I just took the written test at the DMV and that is not correct.

Really? Are you sure about that? Can you cite the exact place in the law where that is explained? Because, as I was taught, you MUST stay in the left lane, and you can only pass on the right. Thus, if it is not possible to pass someone on the right while remaining entirely in the left lane, you are not allowed to pass them at all according to the letter of the law.

For sure, you can not pass on the left. That is definitely verboten. So passing on the shoulder is not an option.

I would be very interested in knowing if there is something in the law which specifically removes the left lane restriction when passing.

[sanook2me]

Buy an automobile or follow the traffic laws. Problem solved.

Chunks

I have a car and drive within the law but still get pulled over for a shakedown sometimes. Normal at toll booths where they see a white bloke at the wheel.

To the OP, take no notice of Chunks coz he has no idea about driving in Thailand proven with another thread not so long ago.

Yes Onnut I will never have your knowledge when it comes to potted plants, parking and other automobile issues.

I'm sure On Nuts potted plants and old ladies saga was way before your registration dates.....oohh errrhh...who were you before??? cumon tell us....you know want to....i'd guess the old mafia don guy....is it?? are you?

[robblok]

He said that I should pass on the left shoulder. I told him that I just took the written test at the DMV and that is not correct.

Really? Are you sure about that? Can you cite the exact place in the law where that is explained? Because, as I was taught, you MUST stay in the left lane, and you can only pass on the right. Thus, if it is not possible to pass someone on the right while remaining entirely in the left lane, you are not allowed to pass them at all according to the letter of the law.

For sure, you can not pass on the left. That is definitely verboten. So passing on the shoulder is not an option.

I would be very interested in knowing if there is something in the law which specifically removes the left lane restriction when passing.

The user neverdie did point out how it worked and that it was legal according to the law. But what are you going to do when a copper demands money ? I mean they are in a power position and refusing might help but not always. Its not like you can appeal it or something like that.