Daily Police Stops In Bangkok

[Pib]

The number of traffic police in Bangkok must outnumber the rest of the entire police force in Thailand. You can drive out into the provinces and only see a couple but as soon as you enter the Bangkok city limits the number of traffic cops seems to increase a 100 fold. I guess pickings are good in Bangkok.

[YipYipYa123]

The number of traffic police in Bangkok must outnumber the rest of the entire police force in Thailand. You can drive out into the provinces and only see a couple but as soon as you enter the Bangkok city limits the number of traffic cops seems to increase a 100 fold. I guess pickings are good in Bangkok.

there is a police station every few hundred metres in some areas ,nearly always within walking distance of the next one

there is a waiting list to work in bkk,pattaya ,phuket

(the big money locations)

big money to be made from all the protection rackets ,casinos,:"massage " establishments ,and probably even the drug industry

taking money off farangs on bikes is probably just the icing on the cake

[loserlazer]

let's clarify a couple of observation from my 4,5 years of commuting in Bangkok. I have been stopped at least a hundred times as naughty biker :

1- Before 09:00 am in the morning, between 11:30 to 13:30 afternoon and after 17:00, police will never stop you or you will not see any police around. These times, you can use the underpasses, bridges, all the lanes and can get crazy with your bikes. Just be careful and wear a helmet and try not to pass red lights as these are the only ways they can stop you between these times of the day.

2- Never show time license or any documents until they call the truck to take your bike. If things are getting shitty, just hand over 100 thb - 50 thb works also. I never show them and i do not have even tax sticker visible and they never ever asked bike registration, tax or green book until now!

3- Never ask the ID number of any police in Thailand as you might end up in deep shit and make things much more expensive and complicated. They drove me to Immigration bureau one time but i was so hard on them really . They stuffed their guns into their underwear. My girlfriend explained me that , they got frightened from ' farang ting tong ' that is why they put their guns into their underwear. hahahahaa Nothing happened after that, i refused to pay 500 at the police station and we agreed on 100 thb with official ticket.

4- Never speak THAI! Never speak ENGLISH either! Show half smile half frustration. If you speak Thai with them, you are in trouble as they will count you as Thai.

5- Try to get a name card from a police friend and keep it in your wallet. it is like magic. I also bought police polo shirt and t shirt from a police function - good quality by the way and never seen them selling again - and they never stop me once i wear one of them!

6- Try to use the same roads every time for your commute as they do not bother you after a while.

7- Expensive helmet and bike gear prevents them to stop you as they think that you are not a tourist here and you might be a well connected farang that can create problems for them. Sam rule applies for big bikes. They mostly stop small fishes! All the police in Thailand have bikes and they are OK to big bikers. After i bought cbr250, they stopped me significantly less.

Overall, i am happy with my experience with Thai police so far in Bangkok. And some of them are really friendly. They helped many times with my flat tires, engine breakdown. Once they stuffed my cbr150 to their truck to the mechanic for free and , they pushed my bike - with the feet, i am sure you know that method of pushing the bike - numerous times to the tire shop , petrol station or mechanic so i am cool with them and some of them fun guys.

Hope this will be useful for someone.

Edited June 15, 2012 by loserlazer

[Hili]

let's clarify a couple of observation from my 4,5 years of commuting in Bangkok. I have been stopped at least a hundred times as naughty biker :

1- Before 09:00 am in the morning, between 11:30 to 13:30 afternoon and after 17:00, police will never stop you or you will not see any police around. These times, you can use the underpasses, bridges, all the lanes and can get crazy with your bikes. Just be careful and wear a helmet and try not to pass red lights as these are the only ways they can stop you between these times of the day.

2- Never show time license or any documents until they call the truck to take your bike. If things are getting shitty, just hand over 100 thb - 50 thb works also. I never show them and i do not have even tax sticker visible and they never ever asked bike registration, tax or green book until now!

3- Never ask the ID number of any police in Thailand as you might end up in deep shit and make things much more expensive and complicated. They drove me to Immigration bureau one time but i was so hard on them really . They stuffed their guns into their underwear. My girlfriend explained me that , they got frightened from ' farang ting tong ' that is why they put their guns into their underwear. hahahahaa Nothing happened after that, i refused to pay 500 at the police station and we agreed on 100 thb with official ticket.

4- Never speak THAI! Never speak ENGLISH either! Show half smile half frustration. If you speak Thai with them, you are in trouble as they will count you as Thai.

5- Try to get a name card from a police friend and keep it in your wallet. it is like magic. I also bought police polo shirt and t shirt from a police function - good quality by the way and never seen them selling again - and they never stop me once i wear one of them!

6- Try to use the same roads every time for your commute as they do not bother you after a while.

7- Expensive helmet and bike gear prevents them to stop you as they think that you are not a tourist here and you might be a well connected farang that can create problems for them. Sam rule applies for big bikes. They mostly stop small fishes! All the police in Thailand have bikes and they are OK to big bikers. After i bought cbr250, they stopped me significantly less.

Overall, i am happy with my experience with Thai police so far in Bangkok. And some of them are really friendly. They helped many times with my flat tires, engine breakdown. Once they stuffed my cbr150 to their truck to the mechanic for free and , they pushed my bike - with the feet, i am sure you know that method of pushing the bike - numerous times to the tire shop , petrol station or mechanic so i am cool with them and some of them fun guys.

Hope this will be useful for someone.

thanks for the hints but as always here in thailand things just can go diffrent as there are no real rules about anything here. All this can vary from location, cops, situation, mood etc..... everybody have to figure out by themselves how to deal with BiBs; can be annoying but TiT.

[NomadJoe]

7- Expensive helmet and bike gear prevents them to stop you as they think that you are not a tourist here and you might be a well connected farang that can create problems for them. Sam rule applies for big bikes. They mostly stop small fishes! All the police in Thailand have bikes and they are OK to big bikers. After i bought cbr250, they stopped me significantly less.

I attribute this phenomenon to why we don't have nearly the problem with this in Phuket as you Bangers guys seem to have. There are so many connected farangs here and word has gotten back when rip-offs and scams occur. I also think that the police here are able to make so much money with legit offenses that it becomes not worth the time or trouble for them to risk the complaints. It's like shooting fish in a barrel either way. And the BS that they stop farangs certianly isn't true here. I usually get waved though while Thai's are lined up waiting to pay fines at the fine booth.

[NomadJoe]

No problem in the sticks, only helmets on market day.

^^ YipYip..not producing your license is probably an offense.

It is an offense of both the Traffic Act and the National Identity Card Act, and likely one or more of the criminal codes relating to obstruction of justice/disobeying a lawful order.

Phuket also! Had a legal license, legal bike & legal helmet. The cop told me the same BS about not being over in the left, I pointed out that the street is 1 way so all lanes are left, and that in the left of left we have around 10 illegally parked cars which I must go around in order to proceed forward... Wasnt impressed and told me, he will be watching me very carefully! as he can remember my helmet & bike....<deleted> is this? so today I take the wifes bike & spare helmet

I am surprised to hear this in Phuket. I have never had a problem in 11 years riding bikes here nor have I ever heard of anyone else having a problem. You indeed are right, the keep left law for vehicles does not apply to the one-way roads. (see below)

Ummmh karlos...that's a finable offense since you are not displaying your tax sticker required for signage that has non-thai script bigger than the King's language.

Seriously....

I have never heard of this and I can't find anything in the traffic act on this. Is it a tax code? What is the source of this information. Can you provide a reference?

Edited July 2, 2012 by NomadJoe

[NomadJoe]

The number of traffic police in Bangkok must outnumber the rest of the entire police force in Thailand. You can drive out into the provinces and only see a couple but as soon as you enter the Bangkok city limits the number of traffic cops seems to increase a 100 fold. I guess pickings are good in Bangkok.

there is a police station every few hundred metres in some areas ,nearly always within walking distance of the next one

there is a waiting list to work in bkk,pattaya ,phuket

(the big money locations)

big money to be made from all the protection rackets ,casinos,:"massage " establishments ,and probably even the drug industry

taking money off farangs on bikes is probably just the icing on the cake

Not just a waiting list, but a large fee has to be paid to get appointed to these positions, as it is with the Governor or any other appointed positions. These positions are all bought.

[NomadJoe]

Each and every one of you that are paying the BIB bribes on the spot have absolutely no right to complain about being done for offenses real or imagined. You are half of the problem. The bribery is the only reason they do you for BS offenses. The only time you should pay is if the cop threatens you in some way. My principles only go so far.

...

Before you all say that driving on the left is not a rule of law then think again. I, like you guys, thought this was the case too, but I have now seen proof of this law on these forums.(also if turning right, you cannot move over unless you less than 100m from the turn) It's even written on the bloody ticket when/if they give it to you. ...

Where is the proof? Never seen it my self. I even remember seeing a thai newspaper debunking the whole keep to the left idea.

It's 60m, not 100m. And it doesn't matter what the penalties or consequences are back home, it does not justify any level of illegal extortion by police here.

Here are the relevant sections translated from the Land Traffic Act,B.E. 2522 Title 3;

So the "keep left" rule exists, but it applies to all vehicles, not just motorcycles. It does not apply on one way roads, when overtaking, when the roadway is blocked, and it would also appear that it does not apply if there are no other road users traveling in the same direction as you. (Section 35 1st paragraph) Unfortunately the RTP don't put the code section on the tickets like in modern countries so it is difficult to know what they have written you up for. There is also no system in place to appeal a traffic ticket. Some people have made a copy of the above sections in English and Thai and present them to the citing officer.

I have heard having a tinted visor is illegal but I have not found the section yet, and I tend not to believe things until I see them in writing. I wouldn't be surprised as there are some very silly Thai laws on the books. Another one is the law stating your motorcycle headlight can not be illuminated during the daytime. Still haven't found that law either but there was a post by someone on here a while ago that swears he was done for that.

Sources: Partial English Translation of Thai Land Traffic Act http://thailaws.com/.../tlaw0140_5.pdf

Thai Complete: http://www.kodmhai.c...9/m31-43-4.html

Edited July 2, 2012 by NomadJoe

[macknife]

Each and every one of you that are paying the BIB bribes on the spot have absolutely no right to complain about being done for offenses real or imagined. You are half of the problem. The bribery is the only reason they do you for BS offenses. The only time you should pay is if the cop threatens you in some way. My principles only go so far.

...

Before you all say that driving on the left is not a rule of law then think again. I, like you guys, thought this was the case too, but I have now seen proof of this law on these forums.(also if turning right, you cannot move over unless you less than 100m from the turn) It's even written on the bloody ticket when/if they give it to you. ...

Where is the proof? Never seen it my self. I even remember seeing a thai newspaper debunking the whole keep to the left idea.

It's 60m, not 100m. And it doesn't matter what the penalties or consequences are back home, it does not justify any level of illegal extortion by police here.

Here are the relevant sections translated from the Land Traffic Act,B.E. 2522 Title 3;

So the "keep left" rule exists, but it applies to all vehicles, not just motorcycles. It does not apply on one way roads, when overtaking, when the roadway is blocked, and it would also appear that it does not apply if there are no other road users traveling in the same direction as you. (Section 35 1st paragraph) Unfortunately the RTP don't put the code section on the tickets like in modern countries so it is difficult to know what they have written you up for. There is also no system in place to appeal a traffic ticket. Some people have made a copy of the above sections in English and Thai and present them to the citing officer.

I have heard having a tinted visor is illegal but I have not found the section yet, and I tend not to believe things until I see them in writing. I wouldn't be surprised as there are some very silly Thai laws on the books. Another one is the law stating your motorcycle headlight can not be illuminated during the daytime. Still haven't found that law either but there was a post by someone on here a while ago that swears he was done for that.

Sources: Partial English Translation of Thai Land Traffic Act http://thailaws.com/.../tlaw0140_5.pdf

Thai Complete: http://www.kodmhai.c...9/m31-43-4.html

It seems you don't understand yourself.

Sections 33 and 34 apply to cars, SUV's etc and not all vehicles, otherwise why bother with section 35?

Section 35 clearly says that motorcycles must keep to the left. Read it again with the relevant info for motorbikes.

'The driver of a motorcycle shall keep to the curbside of the roadway as close as possible.'

It doesn't give exeptions.(Apart from the bus lane)

As far as the 60m rule goes, that is just the minimum distance when you should turn on your signal, what it doesn't say is that motorcycles can't move from the left before 100m.

Edited July 2, 2012 by macknife

[siam cbr]

I was pulled over today during evening rush hour, Viphawadee-Rangsit, I was right under the tollway in the highway section, the most right lane possible, instead of the left of the frontage road.

Didn't feel like causing an accident and he was block the lane split I was doing. Then when I was pulled over he got greedy and stepped away to stop a scooter doing the same.

Bye bye. Driving license back into my pocket, slip the clutch and a nice take off.

I don't stop unless it's dangerous not to, look like I'm fully complying and then pull off if there's an opportunity.

All wrong of course, it's just that I have zero respect for the police officers (and the law) in this country.

If they respected it themselves I might have a different view.

Edited July 2, 2012 by siam cbr

[NomadJoe]

If they respected it themselves I might have a different view.

That's not an unreasonable view IMO.

[NomadJoe]

It seems you don't understand yourself.

Sections 33 and 34 apply to cars, SUV's etc and not all vehicles, otherwise why bother with section 35?

Section 35 clearly says that motorcycles must keep to the left. Read it again with the relevant info for motorbikes.

'The driver of a motorcycle shall keep to the curbside of the roadway as close as possible.'

It doesn't give exeptions.(Apart from the bus lane)

As far as the 60m rule goes, that is just the minimum distance when you should turn on your signal, what it doesn't say is that motorcycles can't move from the left before 100m.

Well I took a look at the original Thai language sections and ran them through 3 different translators. Two things became clear: the above English translation is not completely accurate, and there have been changes to the law since 1979. So until I get a current and accurate translation, I won't comment further. But your right about the 60m, it's not about when a bike can move over, but how early you must signal.

[eezergood]

No problem in the sticks, only helmets on market day.

^^ YipYip..not producing your license is probably an offense.

It is an offense of both the Traffic Act and the National Identity Card Act, and likely one or more of the criminal codes relating to obstruction of justice/disobeying a lawful order.

Phuket also! Had a legal license, legal bike & legal helmet. The cop told me the same BS about not being over in the left, I pointed out that the street is 1 way so all lanes are left, and that in the left of left we have around 10 illegally parked cars which I must go around in order to proceed forward... Wasnt impressed and told me, he will be watching me very carefully! as he can remember my helmet & bike....<deleted> is this? so today I take the wifes bike & spare helmet

I am surprised to hear this in Phuket. I have never had a problem in 11 years riding bikes here nor have I ever heard of anyone else having a problem. You indeed are right, the keep left law for vehicles does not apply to the one-way roads. (see below)

Ummmh karlos...that's a finable offense since you are not displaying your tax sticker required for signage that has non-thai script bigger than the King's language.

Seriously....

I have never heard of this and I can't find anything in the traffic act on this. Is it a tax code? What is the source of this information. Can you provide a reference?

Well it happened to me on the Beach road in Patong! Either way I did not pay, and so far have not been bothered again.

[floridaguy]

Well, as an update, they must be profitable under the Onnut BTS, because they are still there several times a week, and farther down between Suk 62 and 70 there seems to be more police stops from another police station. Business is good!

[DualSportBiker]

Disclaimer; I almost never ride in Bkk, always wear jacket, boots, reflective stripes, and mostly wear riding trousers... That being said, I have been pulled over, but have never paid a penny since I got my current bike 3 years ago.

I speak English or French depending on the skill of the cop in question, smile constantly, and make like I am being polite. Any 'international' gesture for money, like rubbing finger and thumb gets a "no" with a big smile. They let me go once they realise it is a futile exercise and other bikes are getting by or falling prey to their buddies...

IMHO Riding a bike big is not always a safeguard; I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!! Now I ride a BMW 650 and get stopped only sometimes...

I also drive an old Series Land Rover with trailer; combined weight of 5 tonnes. I get pulled over almost every trip and never pay then either. I keep a copy of the Thai Highways Act in the glove box and pull it out as needed. Traveling with a Thai work crew I rarely get the chance to hide my Thai language skills which are strong... Being armed with the law works well and I think I will copy the relavant sections to carry with me...

Ride safe.

[NomadJoe]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

[DualSportBiker]

You are not wrong, on all counts.

I now have 2,700 lumens on top of my normal headlight. Back in 94 I was told quite clearly "It annoys car drivers." Cost me 500 outside the Sirikit centre, despite having no switch to turn it off!

I just got the latest edition of the Land Traffic Act and will translate the relevant sections in a day or so... There are some changes when compared with the translation you posted above, although they seem benign on first read.

Cheers.

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

[floridaguy]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

I agree, the law should be changed. How can it possibly be a bad thing to be more visible when on a motorcycle? 2 of my last 3 motorcycles here had full time running headlights, there was no switch to turn it off, and was unmodified from Honda. I still was fined for it once, although the cop switched stories and said that I also could not run Xenon headlights on my motorcycle when I showed him I couldn't turn them off.

[Rimmer]

Personal attacks on another member removed also quoted replies.

[DualSportBiker]

So, faster than expected, here is a first draft translation of relevant sections of the latest amendments to the Traffic Act. There is now specific language to control where bikes should be...

33 - While driving, drivers are obliged to keep to the left and not cross the centre divide except for the following exceptions:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The road is less than 6 meters wide

34 - In driving on roads divided into 2 lanes or more of the same direction, or where there is a bus lane in the left-most lane, drivers are obliged to keep to the left lane, or the lane next to the bus lane except for the following cases where driving in a lane to the right (of the left lane) is permissible:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The driver must enter the correct lane when approaching a junction

4) When overtaking another vehicle

5) When the driver is driving faster than vehicles in the left lane(s)

35 - Drivers of slow vehicles or vehicles driving slower than other vehicles must keep as far to the left as possible.

On roads divided into more than 2 lanes or with bus lanes, drivers of haulage vehicles or passenger vans or buses and

riders of motorcycles

must drive in the left-most lane or lane adjacent to the bus lane depending on the situation.

The second paragraph does not apply to passenger cars weighing less than 1,600 KG or cars with seating capacity over 7 seats in accordance with laws for passenger cars.

I would argue that overtaking on a bike in a multi-lane road is permissible. I conclude this because para 3 of 35 actively states an exception by vehicle type. No such exception to the right to overtake in a righthand lane is stated in clause 34. I however believe this is ambiguous; clause 34 states all vehicles can use non-left lanes in the case of 5 exceptions, but clause 35 states bikes must stay left without any exceptions either way.

I think I will go see my local cop boss and see what he has to say. The same guy told me what the rules about trailers are 2 years back...

[karlos]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

This has become Thai Law due to the fact that 80% of all scooters and almost all big bikes have no imediate way of turning said light(s) off.

Easy money

I'm sure it won't take too long for the BIB to fine us for having round wheels............

[NomadJoe]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

This has become Thai Law due to the fact that 80% of all scooters and almost all big bikes have no imediate way of turning said light(s) off.

Easy money

I'm sure it won't take too long for the BIB to fine us for having round wheels............

Let me know if you can find that law.

[NomadJoe]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

I have read from other members here that they too were cited for driving their motorcycle with the headlight on during the day. This does seem to be one of those silly Thai laws that is counter to safety, especially considering that most bikes, big and small, do not have an option to turn it off without installing an additional switch. Most countries have laws which require the light to stay on at all times. Not Thailand though. I would like to read the section they are using to cite with. I have not been able to find it so far. Same goes for the "no tint on visor" law.

You are not wrong, on all counts.

I now have 2,700 lumens on top of my normal headlight. Back in 94 I was told quite clearly "It annoys car drivers." Cost me 500 outside the Sirikit centre, despite having no switch to turn it off!

I just got the latest edition of the Land Traffic Act and will translate the relevant sections in a day or so... There are some changes when compared with the translation you posted above, although they seem benign on first read.

Cheers.

Ah, ok. You were cited, 18 years ago, for driving with your brights/highbeams on or having misaligned headlights, something like that. Not for driving with your headlights on during the day. I have done some looking and can not find any section that requires you to not drive with headlights off during the day, but several references to safety campaigns to have motorcyclists keep headlights on 24 hours. Moot now as pretty much all you cannot turn off.

"ii. Motorcycle daytime head lights - is it mandatory and how prevalent ?

(1) There are not Motorcycle daytime Head Lights Law.

(2) There was a campaign named “Perd Fai Sai Mhuak” (Motorcycle daytime

head lights and helmet wearing) in Thailand since 2004 ,and now all new motorcycles has been

producted with automatic daytime headlight system from factories."

http://www.apec-tptwg.org.cn/new/Archives/tpt-wg27/Land/Current%20Accident%20Situation%20and%20Motorcycle%20Safety%20Measure%20in%20Thailand.pdf

Section 11 just says that you have to turn on your headlights in the dark or when you cannot see 150m ahead. That's the only reference to headlights in the partially translated traffic act here: http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

Looking forward to read the section though, if it exists.

[DualSportBiker]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

Ah, ok. You were cited, 18 years ago, for driving with your brights/highbeams on or having misaligned headlights, something like that. Not for driving with your headlights on during the day.

That's not as I remember it... I had my normal headlights on during the day

[NomadJoe]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

Ah, ok. You were cited, 18 years ago, for driving with your brights/highbeams on or having misaligned headlights, something like that. Not for driving with your headlights on during the day.

That's not as I remember it... I had my normal headlights on during the day

Hmm...perhaps they just made it up. Seems strange that there would be safety campaigns promoting daytime headlight usage if there were a law against. Wouldn't be surprised though. You said earlier you were going to find the section in the traffic act. Did you?

[NomadJoe]

I used to ride a Yamaha 650 in Bkk (93 to 98) and got stopped and 'fined' all the time, including for running with my lights on!!

Ah, ok. You were cited, 18 years ago, for driving with your brights/highbeams on or having misaligned headlights, something like that. Not for driving with your headlights on during the day.

That's not as I remember it... I had my normal headlights on during the day

I guess I am having trouble reconciling this quote with itself, and the comment about not being cited because the light was too bright. You say "now I have 2,700 lumens on top of my normal headlight" then immediately after that say "Back in 94 I was told quite clearly "It annoys car drivers." Cost me 500B..."

Your tenses are jumping all over the place. Now that you say that it wasn't for having headlights too bright, I'm totally lost. Were you fined twice?

Edited July 9, 2012 by NomadJoe

[floridaguy]

So, faster than expected, here is a first draft translation of relevant sections of the latest amendments to the Traffic Act. There is now specific language to control where bikes should be...

33 - While driving, drivers are obliged to keep to the left and not cross the centre divide except for the following exceptions:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The road is less than 6 meters wide

34 - In driving on roads divided into 2 lanes or more of the same direction, or where there is a bus lane in the left-most lane, drivers are obliged to keep to the left lane, or the lane next to the bus lane except for the following cases where driving in a lane to the right (of the left lane) is permissible:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The driver must enter the correct lane when approaching a junction

4) When overtaking another vehicle

5) When the driver is driving faster than vehicles in the left lane(s)

35 - Drivers of slow vehicles or vehicles driving slower than other vehicles must keep as far to the left as possible.

On roads divided into more than 2 lanes or with bus lanes, drivers of haulage vehicles or passenger vans or buses and

riders of motorcycles

must drive in the left-most lane or lane adjacent to the bus lane depending on the situation.

The second paragraph does not apply to passenger cars weighing less than 1,600 KG or cars with seating capacity over 7 seats in accordance with laws for passenger cars.

I would argue that overtaking on a bike in a multi-lane road is permissible. I conclude this because para 3 of 35 actively states an exception by vehicle type. No such exception to the right to overtake in a righthand lane is stated in clause 34. I however believe this is ambiguous; clause 34 states all vehicles can use non-left lanes in the case of 5 exceptions, but clause 35 states bikes must stay left without any exceptions either way.

I think I will go see my local cop boss and see what he has to say. The same guy told me what the rules about trailers are 2 years back...

Can you provide the Thai and English together? I would love to print this out to keep with me to show the cop the next time I get stopped for this, as I tend NOT to stay to the left.

[loserlazer]

So, faster than expected, here is a first draft translation of relevant sections of the latest amendments to the Traffic Act. There is now specific language to control where bikes should be...

33 - While driving, drivers are obliged to keep to the left and not cross the centre divide except for the following exceptions:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The road is less than 6 meters wide

34 - In driving on roads divided into 2 lanes or more of the same direction, or where there is a bus lane in the left-most lane, drivers are obliged to keep to the left lane, or the lane next to the bus lane except for the following cases where driving in a lane to the right (of the left lane) is permissible:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The driver must enter the correct lane when approaching a junction

4) When overtaking another vehicle

5) When the driver is driving faster than vehicles in the left lane(s)

35 - Drivers of slow vehicles or vehicles driving slower than other vehicles must keep as far to the left as possible.

On roads divided into more than 2 lanes or with bus lanes, drivers of haulage vehicles or passenger vans or buses and

riders of motorcycles

must drive in the left-most lane or lane adjacent to the bus lane depending on the situation.

The second paragraph does not apply to passenger cars weighing less than 1,600 KG or cars with seating capacity over 7 seats in accordance with laws for passenger cars.

I would argue that overtaking on a bike in a multi-lane road is permissible. I conclude this because para 3 of 35 actively states an exception by vehicle type. No such exception to the right to overtake in a righthand lane is stated in clause 34. I however believe this is ambiguous; clause 34 states all vehicles can use non-left lanes in the case of 5 exceptions, but clause 35 states bikes must stay left without any exceptions either way.

I think I will go see my local cop boss and see what he has to say. The same guy told me what the rules about trailers are 2 years back...

Can you provide the Thai and English together? I would love to print this out to keep with me to show the cop the next time I get stopped for this, as I tend NOT to stay to the left.

hey man, do you think the cop will listen to you once they stop you? you made me laugh man. hahaha.

Anyway, you have to pay 50 - 100 thb with or without book haha. Not to mention the availability of a cop who can speak English.

[floridaguy]

So, faster than expected, here is a first draft translation of relevant sections of the latest amendments to the Traffic Act. There is now specific language to control where bikes should be...

33 - While driving, drivers are obliged to keep to the left and not cross the centre divide except for the following exceptions:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The road is less than 6 meters wide

34 - In driving on roads divided into 2 lanes or more of the same direction, or where there is a bus lane in the left-most lane, drivers are obliged to keep to the left lane, or the lane next to the bus lane except for the following cases where driving in a lane to the right (of the left lane) is permissible:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The driver must enter the correct lane when approaching a junction

4) When overtaking another vehicle

5) When the driver is driving faster than vehicles in the left lane(s)

35 - Drivers of slow vehicles or vehicles driving slower than other vehicles must keep as far to the left as possible.

On roads divided into more than 2 lanes or with bus lanes, drivers of haulage vehicles or passenger vans or buses and

riders of motorcycles

must drive in the left-most lane or lane adjacent to the bus lane depending on the situation.

The second paragraph does not apply to passenger cars weighing less than 1,600 KG or cars with seating capacity over 7 seats in accordance with laws for passenger cars.

I would argue that overtaking on a bike in a multi-lane road is permissible. I conclude this because para 3 of 35 actively states an exception by vehicle type. No such exception to the right to overtake in a righthand lane is stated in clause 34. I however believe this is ambiguous; clause 34 states all vehicles can use non-left lanes in the case of 5 exceptions, but clause 35 states bikes must stay left without any exceptions either way.

I think I will go see my local cop boss and see what he has to say. The same guy told me what the rules about trailers are 2 years back...

Can you provide the Thai and English together? I would love to print this out to keep with me to show the cop the next time I get stopped for this, as I tend NOT to stay to the left.

hey man, do you think the cop will listen to you once they stop you? you made me laugh man. hahaha.

Anyway, you have to pay 50 - 100 thb with or without book haha. Not to mention the availability of a cop who can speak English.

Well I speak enough Thai, so that is not usually the problem. I have had a couple of cops ask ME to show them in the law books (like I carry those around!) when I try to tell them the law does not apply to some situation or what have you. I am sure it wouldn't help the situation, actually pulling out some pages from the traffic laws, but I tend to stand and debate with the cops anyway when I get stopped, which also isn't helping. The reason I wanted it is because I had a cop pull out his copy of the book and it was so old that I thought that some of those laws probably have been changed, and having an updated copy to compare to his would REALLY not help, but would certainly add to his frustration of having someone argue with him about some silly 100 baht bribe. I usually don't pay bribes, and the next time that cop sees me, he may remember that and just wave me by, figuring "why bother with that cheap charlie?"

[loserlazer]

So, faster than expected, here is a first draft translation of relevant sections of the latest amendments to the Traffic Act. There is now specific language to control where bikes should be...

33 - While driving, drivers are obliged to keep to the left and not cross the centre divide except for the following exceptions:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The road is less than 6 meters wide

34 - In driving on roads divided into 2 lanes or more of the same direction, or where there is a bus lane in the left-most lane, drivers are obliged to keep to the left lane, or the lane next to the bus lane except for the following cases where driving in a lane to the right (of the left lane) is permissible:

1) That lane is blocked or closed to traffic

2) A traffic official assigns a single lane as the only lane to be used

(i.e., police check-point)

3) The driver must enter the correct lane when approaching a junction

4) When overtaking another vehicle

5) When the driver is driving faster than vehicles in the left lane(s)

35 - Drivers of slow vehicles or vehicles driving slower than other vehicles must keep as far to the left as possible.

On roads divided into more than 2 lanes or with bus lanes, drivers of haulage vehicles or passenger vans or buses and

riders of motorcycles

must drive in the left-most lane or lane adjacent to the bus lane depending on the situation.

The second paragraph does not apply to passenger cars weighing less than 1,600 KG or cars with seating capacity over 7 seats in accordance with laws for passenger cars.

I would argue that overtaking on a bike in a multi-lane road is permissible. I conclude this because para 3 of 35 actively states an exception by vehicle type. No such exception to the right to overtake in a righthand lane is stated in clause 34. I however believe this is ambiguous; clause 34 states all vehicles can use non-left lanes in the case of 5 exceptions, but clause 35 states bikes must stay left without any exceptions either way.

I think I will go see my local cop boss and see what he has to say. The same guy told me what the rules about trailers are 2 years back...

Can you provide the Thai and English together? I would love to print this out to keep with me to show the cop the next time I get stopped for this, as I tend NOT to stay to the left.

hey man, do you think the cop will listen to you once they stop you? you made me laugh man. hahaha.

Anyway, you have to pay 50 - 100 thb with or without book haha. Not to mention the availability of a cop who can speak English.

Well I speak enough Thai, so that is not usually the problem. I have had a couple of cops ask ME to show them in the law books (like I carry those around!) when I try to tell them the law does not apply to some situation or what have you. I am sure it wouldn't help the situation, actually pulling out some pages from the traffic laws, but I tend to stand and debate with the cops anyway when I get stopped, which also isn't helping. The reason I wanted it is because I had a cop pull out his copy of the book and it was so old that I thought that some of those laws probably have been changed, and having an updated copy to compare to his would REALLY not help, but would certainly add to his frustration of having someone argue with him about some silly 100 baht bribe. I usually don't pay bribes, and the next time that cop sees me, he may remember that and just wave me by, figuring "why bother with that cheap charlie?"

haha, that is also right floridaguy.

Normally, if you refuse to pay and have a long debate with them, the finally bored and let you go but it is a waste of time.

Still, if you live on a small area where you see the same cops everytime and if you have time showing the book is a good idea.

But, in Bangkok it is a small bribe if you do not want to wait under the sun for a long time.