Thai Highway Police to get tough on traffic law violators

[Loles]

So, the highways at BKK.

I have easy pass of course, but this can't help every-where to avoid the queue. Many places some idiot or child made the plan about toll gates, and you have to wait queue with other cars who have not easy pass. Many places there are not easy pass toll gates but same highway (9).

This case doesn't depend on highway police. Anyway they are always happy with violators cause they can pick up the tea money as well as they can.

[Fullstop]

According to Mr. Pongsit, there are not enough toll booths to support the number of cars traveling on these highways.

Get rid of the toll booths and dramatically improve traffic flow you greedy dimwits.

[Celtica]

Would be great if they targeted unlicensed drivers....countrywide.

I agree. Step one for road safety should be a massive pull over campaign to check licenses. No license. Get arrested on the spot.

It's a good idea but it would be a lot of work for very little reward. The police will never go for it.

Yes. It would be a logistical nightmare, They would have to turn local sporting fields into holding cells. They have to come up with something.

[wabothai]

That would be nice !! But I see them on an average one time a year.

[Celtica]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

[connda]

They still don't enforce a moving violation that is staring them in the face, like cutting across three lanes of traffic on the Super Highway at 20kpm causing a cluster---k of near misses in the lanes behind and around -- but they BiB did have me dig through my glove compartment until I found a copy of Blue Book, even thought by tabs are clearly displayed and I have my insurance paperwork in hand. So they are getting much tougher. Make sure when you are stopped to have your license, registration sticker displayed, current insurance, and a current copy of your Blue Book (or Green Book for motorcycles). Once you show the BiB those forms, feel free to cut into traffic without looking and almost cause an accident.

[coma]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

What ? It is Thai law we are talking about. And how do you assume the nationalities and present locations of the " ex safety Nazis " you speak of ? Epic fail.

[FangFerang]

I will believe this when I see it. Probably somewhere around when hell freezes over and pigs fly.

[FangFerang]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

What ? It is Thai law we are talking about. And how do you assume the nationalities and present locations of the " ex safety Nazis " you speak of ? Epic fail.

Ah, no fair. He has a point. It is a matter of a great divide that some want safer roads without a nanny state, and some want safer roads with over regulation...

Maybe we should all go to the reconciliation meetings.

Epic overestimation.

[BillyBobThai]

If the good general keeps this pace up, expats who haven't been here for a while, won't recognize Thailand.

Keep up the good works guys.

[JesseFrank]

Deport farangs who

drink/ drive

speed

road rage

bald tyres

that,s 50% gone already

Why just foriegners? What about Thais????????????? If you are going to do some thing make it fair for all.

Don't worry, Bernard Flint just wanted to show he's Thaier than Thai.

[moe666]

Several months ago driving between Lamphang and Chiang Mai I spotted a man dressed in camo along side the road, one month later the rental car company called me to pay the fine 400baht they caught me on radar and camera. It was the car I had rented during that period me and the desk guy at agency had a good laff.

[BillyBobThai]

Watch out guys, there's a new kid in town.

[kimamey]

"...they will station police officers every 50 kilometers on roads coming into Bangkok and its vicinity, to monitor traffic."

And...They have figured out at which points, 50 kilometers apart, the violations will occur. Somehow, I think that there will be no reduction in violations since the drivers will know where the checkpoints are. No different than when you see a motor cycle driver put on his helmet right before a checkpoint and then remove it as soon as he passes it. Have they ever heard of unmarked patrol cars, or is it that no officer is willing to ride in an unmarked car since one of perks of becoming a law enforcement officer is that you gain a lot of face when everyone sees you riding around in your shiny police vehicle with all the flashing lights"

The only time I've ever seen a police vehicle with flashing lights is when they're escorting someone.

Regarding not driving in the left hand lane I tend not to do that either. It was strange at first when I saw everyone doing it but then I realised

that the left hand lane seems to be constructed differently and always breaks up .

[robertthebruce]

Does that include kids driving motor bikes or scooters ????

[rijb]

This headline might be more accurate ...

Mafia to make an offer that traffic violators can't refuse.

[hobz]

Wish they would drive in traffic too, not just stations.

most people behave when they see police waiting. And then they start driving like psychopathic maniacs as soon as they clear the checkpoint.

[hobz]

About safety-nazis etc. Thailand had traffic regulations, problem is that they being enforced extremely poorly. If they were enforced and followed less people would die. Thousands of innocent kids die every year on the roads here.

Tens of thousands human lives end because Somchai decides to drive like a psychopath. Sometimes I actually think about going back to Sweden. And yes, you would miss me slot

if Afghani people comes to Sweden and has ideas on how to improve something in Sweden, most Swedes listen. Just look at food in Stockholm Sweden, it's coming from every corner of the earth. Because we suck at food, So we take ideas and concepts fron others; )

[geezer2]

Targeting those without licence might be just waisting of resouses, unless you want fast and easy money. Drivers without a licence might be more careful and better drivers, knowing that insurance doesn't cover them

Targeting those without a license?? I dont think they will bother with insurence..can you get??

[kimamey]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

A lot of traffic laws are there to make things safer to avoid loss of human life. I live here with my Thai family and they don't particularly want to die. My wife is keen for me to avoid being killed on the road as she lost her first husband that way leaving her with a daughter under 2 years old. Why is the preservation of life referred to as a nanny state as if it's somehow wrong. Respecting life is part of Buddhism which as you know is supposedly very big here so it's not something farangs have brought with them we're just pointing out ways to achieve it.

The fact is that Thailand has a very high death rate on it's roads and based on that but taking into account the fact that it has more motor cycles which will lead to more deaths and the fact that deaths after 24 hours aren't counted the countries you mentioned are doing a better job of saving lives. I have to admit I like the more laid back approach but then I don't really do much that's not within the law anyway. it's nice not to have to worry about going slightly too fast through a speed cameras and if they could be shown not to work then I'd say get rid of them but that's not the case. When it comes down to it I couldn't justify the deaths of innocent adults and children just so I can have more freedom.

Maybe you could explain why you feel your freedom to do as you please is more important than human lives.

There's nothing wrong with western influence. You try to take away those influences and see what Thais think and consider what you would do sitting in a hut drinking Red Bull. Without outside help there wouldn't be much else. In fact you wouldn't be here anyway.

[geezer2]

Fining truck drivers that do not use the far left lane ... doubt it.

Has been 'promised' before yet still they hog the outside lane, the far left lane is too bumpy for them, bless.

Only because they clucked in up in the first place

[geezer2]

sorry it

[Dap]

Would be great if they targeted unlicensed drivers....countrywide.

Whatever personell would be left on the roads

could easily make Thailand a mecca for great bike rides

[geezer2]

A lot of traffic laws are there to make things safer to avoid loss of human life. I live here with my Thai family and they don't particularly want to die. My wife is keen for me to avoid being killed on the road as she lost her first husband that way leaving her with a daughter under 2 years old. Why is the preservation of life referred to as a nanny state as if it's somehow wrong. Respecting life is part of Buddhism which as you know is supposedly very big here so it's not something farangs have brought with them we're just pointing out ways to achieve it.

The fact is that Thailand has a very high death rate on it's roads and based on that but taking into account the fact that it has more motor cycles which will lead to more deaths and the fact that deaths after 24 hours aren't counted the countries you mentioned are doing a better job of saving lives. I have to admit I like the more laid back approach but then I don't really do much that's not within the law anyway. it's nice not to have to worry about going slightly too fast through a speed cameras and if they could be shown not to work then I'd say get rid of them but that's not the case. When it comes down to it I couldn't justify the deaths of innocent adults and children just so I can have more freedom.

Maybe you could explain why you feel your freedom to do as you please is more important than human lives.

There's nothing wrong with western influence. You try to take away those influences and see what Thais think and consider what you would do sitting in a hut drinking Red Bull. Without outside help there wouldn't be much else. In fact you wouldn't be here anyway.

I think proper training comes into it..IF someone cares about their people??

[Tomtomtom69]

Would be great if they targeted unlicensed drivers....countrywide.

I agree. Step one for road safety should be a massive pull over campaign to check licenses. No license. Get arrested on the spot.

It's a good idea but it would be a lot of work for very little reward. The police will never go for it.

Yes. It would be a logistical nightmare, They would have to turn local sporting fields into holding cells. They have to come up with something.

No need to arrest drivers, although they could heavily fine drivers and threaten further action if drivers still fail to produce a driver's license in the future. Additionally, any driver that fails to produce a driver's license should not only be fined, but also be prevented from driving back to work/home/the shopping mall or wherever they are heading unless they can call up a licensed driver to drive their car for them.

It would be VERY possible for the Thai police to strike fear in the heart's of Thai motorists if they got their act together. All they need to do is look at how the Vietnamese police handle traffic violators. Their fines are tough. Motorcyclists caught not wearing a helmet are fined the equivalent of 450 Baht ($15) in on the spot fines or more with little possibility of bargaining the fines down much further, and if they can't pay either their licenses and registration are kept by the officer until the fine is paid or their bikes are impounded. Drivers of cars usually only have their licenses or registration papers kept.

[aussiebrian]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

A lot of traffic laws are there to make things safer to avoid loss of human life. I live here with my Thai family and they don't particularly want to die. My wife is keen for me to avoid being killed on the road as she lost her first husband that way leaving her with a daughter under 2 years old. Why is the preservation of life referred to as a nanny state as if it's somehow wrong. Respecting life is part of Buddhism which as you know is supposedly very big here so it's not something farangs have brought with them we're just pointing out ways to achieve it.

The fact is that Thailand has a very high death rate on it's roads and based on that but taking into account the fact that it has more motor cycles which will lead to more deaths and the fact that deaths after 24 hours aren't counted the countries you mentioned are doing a better job of saving lives. I have to admit I like the more laid back approach but then I don't really do much that's not within the law anyway. it's nice not to have to worry about going slightly too fast through a speed cameras and if they could be shown not to work then I'd say get rid of them but that's not the case. When it comes down to it I couldn't justify the deaths of innocent adults and children just so I can have more freedom.

Maybe you could explain why you feel your freedom to do as you please is more important than human lives.

There's nothing wrong with western influence. You try to take away those influences and see what Thais think and consider what you would do sitting in a hut drinking Red Bull. Without outside help there wouldn't be much else. In fact you wouldn't be here anyway.

There are many things that could be done to cut the road toll, with out having to bring in draconian laws like many western countries have, especially where I come from. In Victoria, the most anal of the nanny states, where if you remove an Australian standard sticker off a helmet, even on the best helmet money can buy, you can be charged without wearing a helmet. (and most of Australia). When I was in Australia, I got paranoid every time I looked in the letter box that I may have possibly once more crept over the speed limit buy a few km/h and copped a hefty fine and lost points. over 12 points in 3 years, bye, bye licence. I would travel over 50000 km a year. Some people may not travel that far in a lifetime, but we are all on the same points system.

Melbourne, where the speed limit changes 20 times on the same road, in 10 kilometres, 40 km/h, 50 km/h, 60 km/h, 80 km/h and back to 40 km/h during certain times it is one speed, at other times a different one. Where you have to watch your speedometer more than the road. Where there are more signs warning you of everything you don't need to know. I don't want to have to live like that any more, that is one of the reasons I choose to live in Thailand.

So what can be done? How about starting with teaching safe driving/riding, make sure tail lights and headlights work on your vehicle so you can be seen at night, In Phuket 1 in 6 motorcycles don't have a tail light, and about 1 in 25 to 30 no headlight.

How about training/educating motorcycle riders to be more aware of what is happening around them, like what is behind them when they brake. Not cutting in, in-front of especially a truck only to hit their brakes hard. Not overtaking on blind corners. Learning the road is much more slippery in the wet, or with sand, gravel on it. Learning to ride for the conditions and experience they have. Teaching braking techniques, handling, counter-steering. Training, training, training.

Motorcycle shops should be educated how to check tire pressures, and it is NOT by squeezing the tires, it is with a tire pressure gauge.

How about starting with helmets that will protect you, not the plastic ones that most Thais (and farangs) wear. And while on helmets, banning chin cups like in most if not all western countries. How about the police setting a good example and wearing helmets all the time, and decent ones. Having minimum standards for helmets. Children (and adults) should be made to wear helmets. If parents understood how important that is, they might make their children on their bikes wear them. The government could and should subsidise the cost of these helmets so there is no excuse not to wear them, . A bit spent now, will save money, pain and death in the future.

Bangkok could be made safer for motorcycles if they were allowed to travel on express-ways, toll-ways, over all bridges and not having to stay in the left lane at all times, where they get cut off by trucks, cars and buses stopping pulling out of the left, cutting in to pick up passangers, and there are many more potholes and more oil on the road. Having more safety checks especially for heavy vehicles.

Near where I live there are 2 BMW police motorcycles, both with bald tires, one of the front ones has no tread at all in the middle.

I could go on for ages with suggestions, ones that won't effect the freedoms we have here.

Speed isn't the biggest killer on the roads, abuse of alcohol is, but please don't make our roads like in western countries.

I could live with these suggestions, and I believe they wouldn't effect your enjoyment of driving/riding and most people would find them acceptable. I believe my suggestions I have made here could cut the road toll by at least 40 or 50%.

[Commogwinto]

What has the below to do with traffic law violators??

"Areas that have reported heavy traffic include the Bangna-Trat Road (Highway No. 34) and the Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway (Highway No.7). According to Mr. Pongsit, there are not enough toll booths to support the number of cars traveling on these highways.

Many cars have to join queues at these points, which in turn causes major traffic congestion."

Every time I've used the route 7 also the Outer Ring East, half the tollbooths have been closed, or perhaps I've always managed to hit them at the wrong time of day/week/month/year?????

[kimamey]

I really enjoy the majority of comments clearly posted by ex safety Nazis who for some reason beyond my comprehension have left the safety of their previous countries for the chaos and anarchy that apparently pervades the Thai roads. I am intrigued as to whether they would have listened to the rantings of a minority group 'back home', such as Afghan refugees if they decided to post their views as to how the road system in their adopted country should be modified according to what they believe to be the 'truth'. This is Thailand and it is not simply another state appended to the Us/Australian/British mainland thank God. Don't like the Thai way, there is an obvious alternative, so why not return to the safety of the nanny state from whence you came, and bask in the apparent security that this will afford you. Can someone please explain the craving that so many people have for greater law enforcement and the concomitant abrogation of liberty? Being in the minority here, I came to escape the right wing extremism that makes it possible for BIG government to regulate every aspect of our lives. This is clearly not a perspective shared by most who post here.

A lot of traffic laws are there to make things safer to avoid loss of human life. I live here with my Thai family and they don't particularly want to die. My wife is keen for me to avoid being killed on the road as she lost her first husband that way leaving her with a daughter under 2 years old. Why is the preservation of life referred to as a nanny state as if it's somehow wrong. Respecting life is part of Buddhism which as you know is supposedly very big here so it's not something farangs have brought with them we're just pointing out ways to achieve it.

The fact is that Thailand has a very high death rate on it's roads and based on that but taking into account the fact that it has more motor cycles which will lead to more deaths and the fact that deaths after 24 hours aren't counted the countries you mentioned are doing a better job of saving lives. I have to admit I like the more laid back approach but then I don't really do much that's not within the law anyway. it's nice not to have to worry about going slightly too fast through a speed cameras and if they could be shown not to work then I'd say get rid of them but that's not the case. When it comes down to it I couldn't justify the deaths of innocent adults and children just so I can have more freedom.

Maybe you could explain why you feel your freedom to do as you please is more important than human lives.

There's nothing wrong with western influence. You try to take away those influences and see what Thais think and consider what you would do sitting in a hut drinking Red Bull. Without outside help there wouldn't be much else. In fact you wouldn't be here anyway.

There are many things that could be done to cut the road toll, with out having to bring in draconian laws like many western countries have, especially where I come from. In Victoria, the most anal of the nanny states, where if you remove an Australian standard sticker off a helmet, even on the best helmet money can buy, you can be charged without wearing a helmet. (and most of Australia). When I was in Australia, I got paranoid every time I looked in the letter box that I may have possibly once more crept over the speed limit buy a few km/h and copped a hefty fine and lost points. over 12 points in 3 years, bye, bye licence. I would travel over 50000 km a year. Some people may not travel that far in a lifetime, but we are all on the same points system.

Melbourne, where the speed limit changes 20 times on the same road, in 10 kilometres, 40 km/h, 50 km/h, 60 km/h, 80 km/h and back to 40 km/h during certain times it is one speed, at other times a different one. Where you have to watch your speedometer more than the road. Where there are more signs warning you of everything you don't need to know. I don't want to have to live like that any more, that is one of the reasons I choose to live in Thailand.

So what can be done? How about starting with teaching safe driving/riding, make sure tail lights and headlights work on your vehicle so you can be seen at night, In Phuket 1 in 6 motorcycles don't have a tail light, and about 1 in 25 to 30 no headlight.

How about training/educating motorcycle riders to be more aware of what is happening around them, like what is behind them when they brake. Not cutting in, in-front of especially a truck only to hit their brakes hard. Not overtaking on blind corners. Learning the road is much more slippery in the wet, or with sand, gravel on it. Learning to ride for the conditions and experience they have. Teaching braking techniques, handling, counter-steering. Training, training, training.

Motorcycle shops should be educated how to check tire pressures, and it is NOT by squeezing the tires, it is with a tire pressure gauge.

How about starting with helmets that will protect you, not the plastic ones that most Thais (and farangs) wear. And while on helmets, banning chin cups like in most if not all western countries. How about the police setting a good example and wearing helmets all the time, and decent ones. Having minimum standards for helmets. Children (and adults) should be made to wear helmets. If parents understood how important that is, they might make their children on their bikes wear them. The government could and should subsidise the cost of these helmets so there is no excuse not to wear them, . A bit spent now, will save money, pain and death in the future.

Bangkok could be made safer for motorcycles if they were allowed to travel on express-ways, toll-ways, over all bridges and not having to stay in the left lane at all times, where they get cut off by trucks, cars and buses stopping pulling out of the left, cutting in to pick up passangers, and there are many more potholes and more oil on the road. Having more safety checks especially for heavy vehicles.

Near where I live there are 2 BMW police motorcycles, both with bald tires, one of the front ones has no tread at all in the middle.

I could go on for ages with suggestions, ones that won't effect the freedoms we have here.

Speed isn't the biggest killer on the roads, abuse of alcohol is, but please don't make our roads like in western countries.

I could live with these suggestions, and I believe they wouldn't effect your enjoyment of driving/riding and most people would find them acceptable. I believe my suggestions I have made here could cut the road toll by at least 40 or 50%.

Some very good points there.

My main reason for posting was the stupid 'Nazi' comments and 'right wing extremism'. Surely right wing governments favour less regulation not more. Also the idea that some of us came here purely to change Thai traffic laws and that we shouldn't try to suggest anything that might save innocent lives because some people aren't able to abide by laws so they come here because they think they won't have to.

apart from the speed cameras in the UK I've never found the traffic laws a particular problem and since the cameras reduce accidents I don't see how I can reasonably complain about them.

You're right that a lot could be done without causing too much trouble.