Bangkok Traffic Police to reinforce strict rule from March 7

[jacko45k]

So did the number of accidents and fatalities in the Metropolitan area fall substantially during the protests?

I wonder if they were more effective than the Traffic Police strict rule campaign?

[saltandpepper]

Been in Thailand more than 15 years, and I hear that every 3 month or so. Nothing has changed. Nothing will. Not in my life time anyway....

[Johnnie99]

Bless their little hearts. Don't they have a way of looking at things through those large, dark, uncomprehending eyes that makes one quiver with compassion.

[thaijoe]

cops do the same thing..run red lights.. drive motorcycles on the damm sidewalk. fine those Aholes 2,000 baht.period.. if they want to enforce the law, fine them big time.

[Tanlic]

Bless their little hearts. Don't they have a way of looking at things through those large, dark, uncomprehending eyes that makes one quiver with compassion.

NO!!!!!!

[arthurboy]

In all all honesty, I cannot make any useful contribution to this thread; please accept these instead.

[Thaddeus]

Some people seem to forget that the poor traffic police have been hit hard financially by the anti government protests. These have been difficult times for them what with having to keep a low profile instead of being out and about collecting fines.

did you forget they get a government salary as well ? all that tea money they collect is just a one of the "perks " of the job

unless they been living well outside their means im sure a few weeks protest hasnt put them in financially " difficult times "

and if it has then they deserve it

Do you know how much a traffic cops salary is?

Do you know how much the average traffic cop collects in 'off the record' fines daily?

The 'fines' are not a perk of the job, it's the main reason they take the job, BB is quite correct.

[barryofthailand]

Thailand loves crackdowns. Why doesn't the traffic police check on public transportation such as busses and vans where the accident rate is high and many people killed each year. I'll tell you why is because that doesn't put any money in their pocket.

[soalbundy]

Wow police actually doing their job. No wonder this makes the news.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

They aren't doing it yet,they are only saying that they will,which means they might try on some days but probably not.

[steve C]

It must be almost Songkran!

OR April FOOLS DAY

[Benmart]

I wish them luck. It's like bailing water out of a leaking row boat with a thimble. Possible? Perhaps. But never ending.

[sam sen]

educate/inform drivers and motorcycle riders then come down on them like a ton of bricks, all the time!

[Lupatria]

Some people seem to forget that the poor traffic police have been hit hard financially by the anti government protests. These have been difficult times for them what with having to keep a low profile instead of being out and about collecting fines.

did you forget they get a government salary as well ? all that tea money they collect is just a one of the "perks " of the job

unless they been living well outside their means im sure a few weeks protest hasnt put them in financially " difficult times "

and if it has then they deserve it

did you forget they get a government salary as well ?

Isn't that exactly what the BIB forget more often than not?

"im sure a few weeks protest hasnt put them in financially " difficult times "

Did the driving force "greed" ever cross your mind?

[simondan]

Shouldn't that headline read 'Thai traffic police to actually do their jobs, briefly'?

Where else in the world can a crackdown be defined as strictly enforcing basic deadly practices such as speeding or drink driving?

Strict enforcement is the default in any country serious about saving lives on the road!

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[sz1a]

Does anyone have the full list of what is being clamped down on? I heard no driving on the sidewalk?

[wwest5829]

Some people seem to forget that the poor traffic police have been hit hard financially by the anti government protests. These have been difficult times for them what with having to keep a low profile instead of being out and about collecting fines.

did you forget they get a government salary as well ? all that tea money they collect is just a one of the "perks " of the job

unless they been living well outside their means im sure a few weeks protest hasnt put them in financially " difficult times "

and if it has then they deserve it

Gosh, that's my trouble I guess. I'm just too saintly and I only ever see the good in people..... even the police.

And the average government salary of a Thai Traffic Policeman is?.. I think you had a valid point.

[AlphMichaels]

Keep those 20 THB notes handy for the quick "slip n slide" under the ticket book.

Edited March 6, 2014 by AlphMichaels

[Blackmirage2013]

This is so funny..... shouldn't the traffic police be doing this anyway as part of their regular job?

That's like saying waiters in a restaurant will now start serving food to customers...

Give me a break.... do your job and stop announcing it like it is EXTRA work beyond your required responsibilities!!!

[focus27]

Does anyone have the full list of what is being clamped down on? I heard no driving on the sidewalk?

Yeah, there was a list... from when they announced the same thing a month ago.

Still the best one is: #6 No overtaking other vehicles in public.

Does anybody want to guess what that could possibly mean?

[focus27]

Does anyone have the full list of what is being clamped down on? I heard no driving on the sidewalk?

Found it... enjoy:

1. Parking in prohibited area

2. Double parking

3. Parking on sidewalk

4. Driving on sidewalk

5. Overtaking other vehicles in the congested traffic

6. Overtaking other vehicles in public

7. Driving against the arrow sign

8. Running red lights

9. Driving under the influence of alcohol

10. Not fastening seatbelt

11. Using mobile while driving

12. Driving without a license

13. Speeding

[TheReporter]

The idea of a taffic fine in Thailand gives me the impression that the Police only wants to find new ways of making money for themselves and nothing else will come out of it. Allowing fines to be collected by the police officers on the streets and check-points is like giving a piece red meat to a Lion and ask him to deliver it to the supermarket for sale. All the systems involving police in Thailand are almost as if they are designed with a corruption in mind. There is no check and balance to ensure accountability of actions, let alone accounting for financial matters. No police personnel should handle any type of money involving the public. All fines must be paid at a designated authority, such as the court or special office set up for collecting fines. All fines must be recorded with serial number receipts with regular auditing to ensure there is no discrepency in the collection of payment. In a democratic society where fines are imposed as civil forfeiture, there must be a due process that ensure the fine is not just being imposed for no justifiable legal reason. In other words, no police officer is allowed to just write tickets without having to account for them and having to testify in court to show proof beyond reasonable doub that such offense did occur and that the law enforcement action taken is in line with the established policy and procedure. BUT then again, we are talking about Thailand, a country that is considered to be somewhat developed, but yet lacks so many basic fundamental systems to ensure things are actually working effectively with tangible results. In almost everything that is created by the government, there are major flaws that seem to be purposely overlooked. There is no consistency in any practice or standard of enforcement. Enforcement actions are often fluctuated from one person to the next depending on his or her status. I have witnessed so many times where a person driving a BMW or Mercedes is allowed to park in a certain area of the street where it is obviously illegal and unsafe for the general public, while at the same time, an ordinary car would be asked to move or be fined for doing exactly the same thing. This is known as selective enforcement, which is illegal and considered to be the same as corruption or abuse of authority.

Edited March 6, 2014 by TheReporter

[falangadang]

Some people seem to forget that the poor traffic police have been hit hard financially by the anti government protests. These have been difficult times for them what with having to keep a low profile instead of being out and about collecting fines.

did you forget they get a government salary as well ? all that tea money they collect is just a one of the "perks " of the job

unless they been living well outside their means im sure a few weeks protest hasnt put them in financially " difficult times "

and if it has then they deserve it

Yes,.. and that salary is Pi$$ poor... that has a lot to do with their motivation for tea money!

[yourauntbob]

a bit early for an april fools joke

[ttthailand]

Do these laws include when driving on sidewalks or just on the roads ?

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[mancub]

The last paragraph sums it up.....illegal parking is obviously a more serious endangerment to life than drunken or reckless driving.

Twaddle !

[Nickymaster]

sutheps thugs are armed and dangerous should they want to remove any of their trucks and cars

[Chicog]

Yay! A "Crackdown"!

[Fullstop]

The Traffic Police Division is set to reinforce road rules

Is it April Fools already?

Anyway ... how do you "reinforce" a rule? Put scaffolding around it?

Much better to just "enforce" it methinks.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Fullstop

[NoshowJones]

They only going to enforce the rules on the road too or will it cover those driving on sidewalks too?

It is not against the law to ride a motorcycle on the sidewalk. Why do you think a lot of sidewalks have the kerbs lowered at junctions? Certainly not for wheelchair users. OH, and this is Thailand.

[hawker9000]

The idea of a taffic fine in Thailand gives me the impression that the Police only wants to find new ways of making money for themselves and nothing else will come out of it. Allowing fines to be collected by the police officers on the streets and check-points is like giving a piece red meat to a Lion and ask him to deliver it to the supermarket for sale. All the systems involving police in Thailand are almost as if they are designed with a corruption in mind. There is no check and balance to ensure accountability of actions, let alone accounting for financial matters. No police personnel should handle any type of money involving the public. All fines must be paid at a designated authority, such as the court or special office set up for collecting fines. All fines must be recorded with serial number receipts with regular auditing to ensure there is no discrepency in the collection of payment. In a democratic society where fines are imposed as civil forfeiture, there must be a due process that ensure the fine is not just being imposed for no justifiable legal reason. In other words, no police officer is allowed to just write tickets without having to account for them and having to testify in court to show proof beyond reasonable doub that such offense did occur and that the law enforcement action taken is in line with the established policy and procedure. BUT then again, we are talking about Thailand, a country that is considered to be somewhat developed, but yet lacks so many basic fundamental systems to ensure things are actually working effectively with tangible results. In almost everything that is created by the government, there are major flaws that seem to be purposely overlooked. There is no consistency in any practice or standard of enforcement. Enforcement actions are often fluctuated from one person to the next depending on his or her status. I have witnessed so many times where a person driving a BMW or Mercedes is allowed to park in a certain area of the street where it is obviously illegal and unsafe for the general public, while at the same time, an ordinary car would be asked to move or be fined for doing exactly the same thing. This is known as selective enforcement, which is illegal and considered to be the same as corruption or abuse of authority.

Well, I avoid renting & driving vehicles in Thailand at all costs and so don't really deal with this, but I know a simple speeding ticket in California, including fees & costs, can run USD300. That doesn't include traffic school (to get the points removed), increased auto insurance costs, etc. I know the Thai way is born of corruption, but it's sure a whole lot cheaper & easier...