Bangkok: Private trucks to tow law-violating vehicles to impound lots

[webfact]

Private tow trucks
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau's upcoming measure to tow law-violating vehicles to impound lots would see some 500 privately operated tow-trucks aiding the police's existing 100 trucks, deputy city police chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak said yesterday.

The measure is due to take effect on October 21 on 10 key routes in Bangkok.

To prevent criminals from using the crackdown to steal cars, Adul said police would prioritise the use of police tow-trucks. When in need of backup, however, police would employ privately run tow-truck firms, who will be required to carry police-issued cards and whose trucks must bear state insignia and logos. Vehicle towing must be supervised by police in all cases, he added.

Owners of four-wheel vehicles that are in violation would be fined Bt500 plus a Bt500 towing fee and the impound lot's daily charge of Bt200, while six-wheelers would attract fines at Bt500 plus a Bt700 towing fee and a daily impound-lot charge of Bt300. Vehicles with 10 wheels or more would attract a Bt500 fine, Bt1,000 towing fee and a daily impound-lot charge of Bt500.


-- The Nation 2013-10-17

[kartman]

Do the yellow caps have a logo 'I've been towed '?

[ChrisY1]

Do the yellow caps have a logo 'I've been towed '?

....but they are likely being mass produced for sale in MBK!

[AryanicAristocrat]

A)Isn't anyone going to ask who chosed the two private companies.....ie why no fair bidding system.....are these companies linked to some politician or senior police staff? (Smells of corruption again)

B)What about the buses and vans that frequently berak down......should not they be penalised too especially the BMA Buses, they should be paying 10 fold......isnlt it stupid...tax payers that are funding the police and BMA are being penalised when their car breaks down....and no decent Thai is questioning this!

C) Its going to be a mess!

[ezzra]

I wonder what will happened, and who will be responsible for damages to said vehicles

while in the process of being towed or while in police impound ? from experience, I'm

sure that great care to said towed vehicles will not paramount on the mind of the tow

trucks operators...

[EvilDrSomkid]

Solution to all these concerns: Don't park on those 10 routes.

[jaltsc]

"...police would employ privately run tow-truck firms, who will be required to carry police-issued cards and whose trucks must bear state insignia and logos. Vehicle towing must be supervised by police in all cases, he added."

Well, that should eliminate any corruption. After all, if you can't trust a tow truck with police-issued cards and state insignias and logos, then who can you trust? After all, no one in a police uniform, with all kinds of credentials, has ever committed an illegal act

Edited October 17, 2013 by jaltsc

[Dr Robert]

This has the smack of corrupt practice etched into the insignias of the yellow hats... or is that the sound of two hands coming together in anticipation?

[natalilaej]

Do the yellow caps have a logo 'I've been towed '?

alt=blink.png width=20 height=20> alt=blink.png width=20 height=20> ....but they are likely being mass produced for sale in MBK!

It doesn't matter anyway. Much like Police uniforms, you likely can buy the legitimate caps directly from the vendor.

[JoeThePoster]

I'm already scared, seeing that they've enlisted Eva Braun.

[natalilaej]

"...police would employ privately run tow-truck firms, who will be required to carry police-issued cards and whose trucks must bear state insignia and logos. Vehicle towing must be supervised by police in all cases, he added."

Well, that should eliminate any corruption. After all, if you can't trust a tow truck with police-issued cards and state insignias and logos, then who can you trust? After all, no one in a police uniform, with all kinds of credentials, has ever committed an illegal act alt=whistling.gif width=19 height=18>

I'm all for towing people who park on Charoen Krung during rush hour like they are King of the world, but I can't see this ending well.

[klauskunkel]

New Bangkok Super Heroes:

Leopard Lady to the left and Big Head to the right of BiB...

Edited October 17, 2013 by klauskunkel

[Soi Dog]

And who is going to tow illegally parked Benz S500s? Answer: Nobody, since by definition the owners of those vehicles answer to no laws.

[newermonkey]

Next Headline:

Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak's brother-in-law towing company to be listed on the SET, following incredible rise in business.

Next Headline:

City commuters outraged as gangs of thugs threaten innocent motorists with a tow or pay tea money ultimatum.

[jbrain]

New Bangkok Super Heroes:

Leopard Lady to the left and Big Head to the right of BiB...

I really peed myself with the first glance at that picture.

[ratcatcher]

it will be interesting to see what towing method they use for a locked vehicle. Normally, they hitch up and raise the rear wheels to avoid transmission damage and locked wheels with handbrakes. Or they use a "dolly" to keep the rear wheels free of the ground.

I can imagine the circus that will ensue when these amateur tow truck operators start trying to remove large trucks with a small tow truck. Let's wait for the first actions to be reported here.

[cgphuket]

Surprised it took so long to realize there was money to be made in impounding cars. Expect the fees to go up quickly, then they will start impounded cars that are not parked illegally, when they have slow days.

[hellodolly]

Is it just me or does any one else get the feeling a lot of the people want to leave the cars parked illegally?

I would be willing to bet these are the same people who bemoan the traffic congestion. This is a first world solution to the problem and they will probably call Thailand a third world .

In my opinion it does not go far enough it should include motor bikes and motor bikes parked on the foot paths any where in the city.

[Benmart]

A)Isn't anyone going to ask who chosed the two private companies.....ie why no fair bidding system.....are these companies linked to some politician or senior police staff? (Smells of corruption again)

B)What about the buses and vans that frequently berak down......should not they be penalised too especially the BMA Buses, they should be paying 10 fold......isnlt it stupid...tax payers that are funding the police and BMA are being penalised when their car breaks down....and no decent Thai is questioning this!

C) Its going to be a mess!

D) One day at a time.

E) Easy does it

F) This too shall pass

[Curt1591]

Surprised it took so long to realize there was money to be made in impounding cars. Expect the fees to go up quickly, then they will start impounded cars that are not parked illegally, when they have slow days.

I'm all for the measure. It works in many other congested cities.

I doubt we will find any "slow days" when it comes to illegally parked vehicles.

Hopefully the fees will rise, to a point where it is not only inconvenient, but costly.

[little mary sunshine]

Good for the B I B....They should also have metal "boots"

and "boot" all the double parked vehicles and impound

them too....3000B to get your car back plus the cost

of the boot and tow....should solve the problem

[Honkytowner]

Just as I predicted in yesterday's thread on this topic. All the lovely "commissions" from those outsourced towing companies. The BiB must be rubbing their hands with anticipatory glee!

[rametindallas]

When I read the headline, I thought that the unsupervised tow trucks would do like they do in Dallas and just claim the cars were illegally parked. But when I read the article, they covered all my concerns; at least on paper If they follow their own rules as stated in the article, they will certainly make an impact on illegally parked cars and there will be business for everyone for years. Maybe they'll make enough to offset the money they make by letting people park illegally in the first place. At this point I approve of the plan and await the results of the execution of the plan.

[Fullstop]

500 privately operated tow-trucks

The birth of a new "Mafia" group ... beautiful.

[bkkgriz]

I just wish there was snow in Bangkok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkWiuFXNACI

[A1Str8]

And when the vehicles are going to get impounded, the phony smiles will dissapear and we are going to see the real shit: individuals with personal disorders who can't control themselves like the thai judge who threw rice over the car and drove through the barrier.

[siampolee]

newermonkey post # 14

Next Headline:

Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak's brother-in-law towing company to be listed on the SET, following incredible rise in business.

Next Headline:

City commuters outraged as gangs of thugs threaten innocent motorists with a tow or pay tea money ultimatum.

Indeed'' there is many a true word spoken in jest.''

[coma]

Why stop at Bangkok ? Just the other day here in CNX a car was illegally parked and had traffic backed up for literal miles. The police had put a wheel lock on it. When the owner returns he/ she wouldn't be able to move it. Instead having to go through the time consuming process of contacting police, paying the fine then having a BIB come out and unlock it. All the while the traffic is still choking up half the city. Towing is the only way IMO. And would be a much better lesson [more costly] for these selfish road users.

[wade72]

And who is going to tow illegally parked Benz S500s? Answer: Nobody, since by definition the owners of those vehicles answer to no laws.

You might be surprised.... things have been changing.... slowly yes... but change none the less...check below, most of the cars in that picture are allot more expensive then an S500

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667720-phuket-police-stick-it-to-luxury-car-owners-video-report/

[siampolee]

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau's upcoming measure to tow law-violating vehicles to impound lots would see some 500 privately operated tow-trucks aiding the police's existing 100 trucks, deputy city police chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak said yesterday.

I am waiting to see the next statement.

BANGKOK: The Metropolitan Police Bureau's up upcoming measure to remove the illegal vendors stall from the pavements of Bangkok will see some 100 trucks with a crew of 5 personnel to remove these obstructions from the capitals footpaths. The removal of these stalls that sell a wide range of pirated and pornographic goods and material will indeed improve pedestrian progress in Bangkok thus tourism will benefit from this move.,

Food vendors stalls will be allocated a position of one stall every 100 metres so as food is readily available for the capitals workforce, residents and tourists.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau's official spokesperson was reported as stating.

''A take off and landing point will be established every 500 metres so as swine (pigs) will be able to take off and become airborne and also land in complete safety in the event of this plan being implemented.''