Crackdown on Bangkok traffic violators

[webfact]

Traffic violators beware
The Nation


To highlight its stricter policy on traffic offenders, police demonstrate to the media yesterday how a taxi that parked illegally on Rama IV Road in Bangkok is towed away.

POLICE HAVE STARTED a campaign to "return roads to the people" by cracking down on traffic violators.

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt-Geneneral Wuthi Liptapallop said police would tow away or lock the wheels of illegally parked vehicles, arrest and jail offenders, and do this in a polite |manner.

Targeted areas include Bangkok's Rama IV Road (Klong Toei intersection) and the Rama IX Intersection, which are notorious for traffic jams.

The campaign has already led to a decrease in illegal parking over the past three days in the two locations and the city's 10 main roads, including in the Saphan Khao and Bo Bae market areas, Wuthi said.

Wuthi said police planned to randomly target night-time venues where operators allowed illegal parking last night, while metropolitan police and city administrators would discuss on Thursday ways to curb illegal motorcycle parking and those who open shops on sidewalks.

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Maj-General Adul Narongsak said police in areas with the highest number of towed vehicles must write additional reports explaining the reasons for traffic-obstruction parking.

People who park their vehicles in a no-parking zone and on a sidewalk could be fined Bt500.

Drivers of vehicles towed would face an additional fine of at least B.1,000 for a ten-wheeled truck, Bt700 for a four-wheeled and six-wheeled trucks, and Bt500 for other vehicles.

Police said more arrests were being made including taxi drivers and public transport van drivers who parked in a way that blocks traffic at key places in the city.

Traffic police have reported a significant decrease in complaints about street racers after the curfew was introduced.


-- The Nation 2014-06-10

[lee b]

great to know they are starting this, but stop pety fines, if your vehicle is towed for illegal parking it will be crushed. Simple. The roads would be alot better and far more safer for everyone else who has to use them..

[terryp]

prison ??? since when has parking a car become a criminal offence

[Oryx816]

Seeing as how everyone is making requests of the NCPO, I'd like to make one too....

Can they bring some of that enforcement to CM please?

[englishoak]

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt-Geneneral Wuthi Liptapallop said police would tow away or lock the wheels of illegally parked vehicles, arrest and jail offenders, and do this in a polite |manner.

Arrest & Jail for parking a car now ??? ... ok they have definitely lost it

[EricBerg]

Someone will be moved to an inactive post soon.

[bkkgooner]

They finally start doing their job and they have to make a song and dance of it, lads you were meant to be doing this stuff every day for the last 50 odd years it's called DOING YOUR JOB

Imagine this country with a competent police force?

[dsprtliving]

Recently, saw a cop give a Tuk tuk driver a ticket in front of MBK, and the driver just shrugged and turned to smile over his shoulder at his friends as the cop walked away. All these "crackdowns" and attempted law enforcement will mean nothing to the public as long as the legitimate punishment for offences have no teeth. Otherwise, a 500 baht ticket is apparently only worth a shrug and a smile!

[BillyBobThai]

I like this guy. He's a no bull$hit take no prisoners kind of guy.

[worgeordie]

I still don't think the fines are high enough,if one thing

that will learn Thais to respect the law is hit them in the pocket,

Its going to cost a lot more than a 1000 bht to tow a 10 wheel truck

away thats for sure,but at least its a start,as long as it taken seriously

and and will be in force day in day out for the future,and not just a

monthly photo opportunity.

regards Worgeordie

[jaltsc]

'POLICE HAVE STARTED a campaign to "return roads to the people" by cracking down on traffic violators.'

Will this crackdown continue when the cameras and news media are gone, or is this just a typical dog and pony act? We have seen crack downs on other illegal activities. Yet prostitution, gambling, public intoxication, child exploitation, domestic violence, etc. still run rampant throughout the country.

[Khun Loong]

Ha, that' so funny.

[coma]

Please post more photos of vehicles being towed. It is quite refreshing to the eye.

[Loles]

This is a very good idea, the problem is only they will finish this project at start.

They (police) are over the most important part of this case: SHOW THE PRESS.

[ezzra]

Crackdown... now that a word I haven't heard for a long time now....

[Steiner]

"and those who open shops on sidewalks."

Having sidewalks in most of the city would be a good start!

If I walk to the 7 or a restaurant near home there is no footpath and a lot of traffic.

I see kids going to school dodging traffic as they have to negotiate cars, noodle carts and bikes left at the side of the road.

Factor in people with mirror film on the windscreen and the moronic need to type on their iphone when driving and I am amazed there are only 25,000 deaths per year here.

[jaapfries]

'POLICE HAVE STARTED a campaign to "return roads to the people" by cracking down on traffic violators.'

Will this crackdown continue when the cameras and news media are gone, or is this just a typical dog and pony act? We have seen crack downs on other illegal activities. Yet prostitution, gambling, public intoxication, child exploitation, domestic violence, etc. still run rampant throughout the country.

Geez; @Jaltsc: - give the General a break; cut the man some slack: he's been on "the job" barely 3 weeks and certainly doesn't need an impatient & unreasonable winger to criticize his many positive actions to-date !

I guess some people are just never satisfied, hey ? ! - I'd hate to be your neighbor, mate !

Meanwhile, as far as I'm concerned, this General Prayut strongly reminds me of one of the heroes in a Louis L'Amour novel: he's just like a real Sackett ! ! ! - and I, for one, salute this man.

[Chao Lao Beach]

No shortage of media who just happened to be there.

Possibly staged ?

[jerrybuice]

What about when the drivers park their car on the street and get out to get their laundry? I have seen many times on a (same direction) 2 lane road, during rush hour, someone just stop their car and get out leaving everyone in that lane to merge into the only lane left to get into. Of course it backs up all kinds of traffic and they could care less!

[NeverSure]

Crackdown... now that a word I haven't heard for a long time now....

You'd rather hear "Hub?"

[coma]

No shortage of media who just happened to be there.

Possibly staged ?

Possibly. But it is a great way to get the message out in layman's terms for those individuals that just don't get it any other way. " A picture tells a thousand words".

[lucjoker]

i remember,(1978 university campus in Belgium) the big paper-sticker glued on my car window blocking the view of the driver completely.

From inside (and outside) you could read the message : "don't park here "

It was a very hard job to remove the sticker ,unbelievable sticky glue .

I never parked there anymore in my life .

It is a cheap and simple solution and it works!

[klauskunkel]

Thailand - the only country in the world where towed cars have their own paparazzi...

[Seashore]

Bring it on and follow through!

[Guest]

I still don't think the fines are high enough,if one thing

that will learn Thais to respect the law is hit them in the pocket,

Its going to cost a lot more than a 1000 bht to tow a 10 wheel truck

away thats for sure,but at least its a start,as long as it taken seriously

and and will be in force day in day out for the future,and not just a

monthly photo opportunity.

regards Worgeordie

I think the towing part will cost much more to the truck owner as the vehicle is out of service for the time it's on police custody. That might change attitudes for parking violations. The same applies to the private car owners who think 500 baht fine petty money.

[RJJ]

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt-Geneneral Wuthi Liptapallop said police would tow away or lock the wheels of illegally parked vehicles, arrest and jail offenders, and do this in a polite |manner.

Arrest & Jail for parking a car now ??? ... ok they have definitely lost it

Yes, but it would be done in a polite way.

Please turn around or the hand cuffs. Thank you for cooperating (paying on the spot).

[Pib]

People who park their vehicles in a no-parking zone and on a sidewalk could be fined Bt500.

"...could be..." Always wishy-washy on whether they "will" or no. Would also be good to know if the Bt500 fine is the type which results in an official ticket or is merely a donation to avoid issue of the ticket. I've experienced several of the later (donations) for various "supposedly" traffic offences.

[Johnnie99]

Oh cool. Another traffic crackdown.

I must say I didn't realise that the last one had finished.

[Johnnie99]

Please post more photos of vehicles being towed. It is quite refreshing to the eye.

Unfortunately pictures will be too far and few between ...

[Pib]

Oh cool. Another traffic crackdown.

I must say I didn't realise that the last one had finished.

I hard to tell when the crackdowns start and stop....but it's the hardest to tell when they start.