D-Day: All passenger vans in Thailand must be properly registered by today

[webfact]

D-Day: All passenger vans must be properly registered by today

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) – Starting today, passenger vans plying the streets are required to hold particular stickers showing they have registered for the service, following the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s policy to regulate van services for road safety.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) had been extremely busy yesterday (July 20), as passenger van operators rushed for the last-day vehicle inspection in order to obtain a sticker certifying that they are properly licensed. Under the tightened regulations, all passenger vans that are in service must not be older than 10 years and must pass all safety inspection tests.

DLT Directior-General Adsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket revealed that out of the 1,000 vans that underwent vehicle inspection, 600 of them still have not passed the inspection standards due to poor vehicle conditions. In many vans, safety belts were not installed in all passenger seats.

From now on, van operators who do not take their vans to be properly registered would be held accountable. Violators could receive a jail-term of up to five years and pay a fine of up to 20,000 to 100,000 baht.

Punishments would also be enforced against registered van operators who drive recklessly, go over the speed limit, or drive off their service routes. They would have their license revoked and have charges filed against them.

Should anybody encounter illegal passenger vans or feel dissatisfied with their services, he or she is urged to call the hotline 1584 around the clock.


-- NNT 2014-07-21

[Mango Bob]

Why not show a picture of the sticker so we know if the van been registered or not.

[Cuchulainn]

...........Should anybody encounter illegal passenger vans or feel dissatisfied with their services, he or she is urged to call the hotline 1584 around the clock.........

You'll be on hold for a hell of a loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnngggggg time!!

or charge a premium rate service. You'll make a bloody fortune!! ²

[EricBerg]

It's a huge task taking up traffic safety. Would almost mean changing Thai culture and identiy. Holding people accountable for what they do wrong is the key to it. Starting with the cities. Vehicle inspections are a good thing. Let's see how the horror traffic develops within a year.

[JesseFrank]

DLT Directior-General Adsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket revealed that out of the 1,000 vans that underwent vehicle inspection, 600 of them still have not passed the inspection standards due to poor vehicle conditions.

That will mean a lot less vans on the road from tomorrow. NOT?

[jpinx]

What does the sticker look like please?

A sample photo would be most helpful.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

"Should anybody encounter illegal passenger vans or feel dissatisfied with their services, he or she is urged to call the hotline 1584 around the clock."

Who do you call if you are dissatisfied with the ones who's doing this minivan crack-down (the ones who wear tight brown tunics who after collecting 200 THB let them drive on)?

[djjamie]

It is refreshing to hear the Junta promise something and then follow through it it. (Heay Chalerm!)

Today in front of Central Plaza (on the Khon Kaen Ram hospital side) the police were there inspecting vans with what I can only assume was mechanics? Not sure, but they were there inspecting vans. One was being towed away after we came out of the shops. This is actually being enforced. They followed through with their promise. Seat belts are being fitted. Lives will be saved because promises are kept. This is not propaganda. This was people checking vans for safety and stickers this morning at Central Plaza.

I for one thank the Junta for following through on their promises and showing transparency and sincerity in putting the peoples safety first. No contempt shown by the Junta here.

Edited July 21, 2014 by djjamie

[UbonRatch]

Are school children considered 'passengers' in school vans?

The amount of battered 30 year old vans I see packed with school kids everyday frightens me.

I wonder if this new licensing applies to those too?

[Cuchulainn]

It is refreshing to hear the Junta promise something and then follow through it it. (Heay Chalerm!)

Today in front of Central Plaza (on the Khon Kaen Ram hospital side) the police were there inspecting vans with what I can only assume was mechanics? Not sure, but they were there inspecting vans. One was being towed away after we came out of the shops. This is actually being enforced. They followed through with their promise. Seat belts are being fitted. Lives will be saved because promises are kept. This is not propaganda. This was people checking vans for safety and stickers this morning at Central Plaza.

I for one thank the Junta for following through on their promises and showing transparency and sincerity in putting the peoples safety first. No contempt shown by the Junta here.

+1.

Good one DJ!!

[Valentine]

I hope they move on the large buses as well. Surely most of those are over 10 years old & unsafe.

[Chicog]

It is refreshing to hear the Junta promise something and then follow through it it. (Heay Chalerm!)

Today in front of Central Plaza (on the Khon Kaen Ram hospital side) the police were there inspecting vans with what I can only assume was mechanics? Not sure, but they were there inspecting vans. One was being towed away after we came out of the shops. This is actually being enforced. They followed through with their promise. Seat belts are being fitted. Lives will be saved because promises are kept. This is not propaganda. This was people checking vans for safety and stickers this morning at Central Plaza.

I for one thank the Junta for following through on their promises and showing transparency and sincerity in putting the peoples safety first. No contempt shown by the Junta here.

Did you get a picture of a sticker though?

[marsstar14]

In response to those who wanted a picture of the sticker, see the image below. It is an orange sticker that specifies the license plate number and the route destination of the van. Check to see whether the vans' license plates are yellow-colored as well to ensure that they are passenger vans.

[kartman]

In response to those who wanted a picture of the sticker, see the image below. It is an orange sticker that specifies the license plate number and the route destination of the van. Check to see whether the vans' license plates are yellow-colored as well to ensure that they are passenger vans.

So 1000 vans tested? that may take care of Victory Monument area failure rate 60 percent sticker very high tech so if the van is used for multiple routes will driver be able to see out of windows

[GiantFan]

Will this also require vehicles carrying passengers to have a yellow plate (blue letter on yellow background, me thinks)? I still see a lot of vans with Blue letter on white background. Not sure if these are legal or not.

[monkey4u]

I hope they move on the large buses as well. Surely most of those are over 10 years old & unsafe.

Only the chassis and mechanicals are old

The buses get new bodies

If a new body is fitted in 2014 it becomes a 2014 bus

[Valentine]

I hope they move on the large buses as well. Surely most of those are over 10 years old & unsafe.

Only the chassis and mechanicals are old

The buses get new bodies

If a new body is fitted in 2014 it becomes a 2014 bus

Not so good as the strength & safety are in the chassis & mechanical. To me the bodies just look like lightweight sheet metal.

[marsstar14]

sticker very high tech so if the van is used for multiple routes will driver be able to see out of windows

Haha. What a strange comment. Each particular van is scheduled to run in only one fixed route, my friend. They represent the starting point of the route and the final destination. There is no such thing as multiple routes.

I assume you can't read Thai, so I'll explain what the last line of the sticker says. It reads Anusawaree-Rangsit. Anusawaree is the starting point and Rangsit is the final destination.

For example, just think of the MRT. The blue line runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, but it also stops at several other stations in between such as the Sukhumvit, Lumphini, and Chatuchak stations.

Edited July 21, 2014 by marsstar14

[kimamey]

I hope they move on the large buses as well. Surely most of those are over 10 years old & unsafe.

Only the chassis and mechanicals are old

The buses get new bodies

If a new body is fitted in 2014 it becomes a 2014 bus

Not so sure about the 10 year rule. If they meet the safety standards then I can't see a reason for not using them. I've seen double decker buses in the UK well over 1o years old and some over 20 but they are checked and if they meet the standards they are OK.

do wonder how difficult it would be to forge a sticker but at least something is being done other than just make a statement.

Slightly off topic but before the coup on the road into Mahasarakham from Borabue there was a police checkpoint complete with tent where mainly motorcycles but other vehicle as well were pulled over. After the coup this was manned by soldiers and switched from one side of the road to the other. About 8 men to start with and dropping down to 2 then 1 moving a cone. Now there are just the cones cutting it to 1 lane, which cause a slight queue when it's busy and guys (I think they're military) sitting reading the paper and checking their phones. I only saw one van stopped whilst they were actually on the road and to be honest I felt a bit sorry for them just waving cars through all day. There is a guy looking at a computer screen who might be checking Facebook or perhaps they have cameras I can't see but I'd love to know what they're doing. I'll check today to see if they're checking vans.

[UbonRatch]

sticker very high tech so if the van is used for multiple routes will driver be able to see out of windows

Haha. What a strange comment. Each particular van is scheduled to run in only one fixed route, my friend. They represent the starting point of the route and the final destination. There is no such thing as multiple routes.

I assume you can't read Thai, so I'll explain what the last line of the sticker says. It reads Anusawaree-Rangsit. Anusawaree is the starting point and Rangsit is the final destination.

For example, just think of the MRT. The blue line runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, but it also stops at several other stations in between such as the Sukhumvit, Lumphini, and Chatuchak stations.

Well actually there are multiple routes, especially with reference to longer routes. You refer only to local routes, within which there are also multiple routes

Everyday, vans leave Mo Chit, or wherever, to travel to Nong Khai or Ubon Rtachatani or Aranyaphatet and, depending upon pick up points or required drop off points, such vans can detour upto at least 80Km off-course, which is not a fixed route - is it? Or is it, in your opinion?

Even in the example you give: Anu Sawaree to Rangsit, you seem to assume the van will take Phaholyothin Road, do you? Elevated freeway, or under road? Which under road, or even frontage road?

I know vans taking many alternative journeys, even from Anu Sawaree to ABAC, Nonthaburi, and then onto Rangsit - never hitting Phaholyothin. That is not a set route

Please show me an example of ALL vans being required to take ONE CERTIFIED fixed route, and I'll show you my **se!

Congratulations on your wife's translation for you, by the way.

[marsstar14]

sticker very high tech so if the van is used for multiple routes will driver be able to see out of windows

Haha. What a strange comment. Each particular van is scheduled to run in only one fixed route, my friend. They represent the starting point of the route and the final destination. There is no such thing as multiple routes.

I assume you can't read Thai, so I'll explain what the last line of the sticker says. It reads Anusawaree-Rangsit. Anusawaree is the starting point and Rangsit is the final destination.

For example, just think of the MRT. The blue line runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, but it also stops at several other stations in between such as the Sukhumvit, Lumphini, and Chatuchak stations.

Well actually there are multiple routes, especially with reference to longer routes. You refer only to local routes, within which there are also multiple routes

Everyday, vans leave Mo Chit, or wherever, to travel to Nong Khai or Ubon Rtachatani or Aranyaphatet and, depending upon pick up points or required drop off points, such vans can detour upto at least 80Km off-course, which is not a fixed route - is it? Or is it, in your opinion?

Even in the example you give: Anu Sawaree to Rangsit, you seem to assume the van will take Phaholyothin Road, do you? Elevated freeway, or under road? Which under road, or even frontage road?

I know vans taking many alternative journeys, even from Anu Sawaree to ABAC, Nonthaburi, and then onto Rangsit - never hitting Phaholyothin. That is not a set route

Please show me an example of ALL vans being required to take ONE CERTIFIED fixed route, and I'll show you my **se!

Congratulations on your wife's translation for you, by the way.

Never heard of a van that can choose an alternative route to reach their final destination as you mentioned. Wouldn't that confuse the passengers who normally wait to get picked up at a particular stop? Buses can only travel in one route, so vans must be required to do the same.

Bus No.11 in Bangkok, for example, runs from Pattanakarn to Pratunam only and are prohibited to veer off direction. They cannot go and pick up passengers at Ramkamhaeng or Sukhumvit, etc. Hence, that was my point in replying to kartman about the fact that each particular van cannot go off their intended route they're scheduled to travel.

You mentioned about vans that travel from Bangkok to Nonthaburi or Aranya Prathet. How interesting. Those are called interprovincial vans. Never rode on any of them. Too dangerous because of those reckless drivers.

P.S. For once in my life, I wish I could be wrong because if I was right, I would get to see your **se! I don't know if it would be a pretty sight or not! How about giving some money instead?

By the way, I can read some Thai without needing my wife to help me. Surprised?

Edited July 21, 2014 by marsstar14

[Lee4Life]

So what is the definition of "passenger van" ?

Where I am from a passenger van means any van that is designed or outfitted to carry passengers, whereas a "cargo van" is designed to carry goods or materials.

My guess is that the new law effects only vans that hire out to carry passengers, and not vans designed to carry passengers which are actually used as personal vehicles, but the wording in this article is not very clear (fancy that!)

[Rorri]

It is refreshing to hear the Junta promise something and then follow through it it. (Heay Chalerm!)

Today in front of Central Plaza (on the Khon Kaen Ram hospital side) the police were there inspecting vans with what I can only assume was mechanics? Not sure, but they were there inspecting vans. One was being towed away after we came out of the shops. This is actually being enforced. They followed through with their promise. Seat belts are being fitted. Lives will be saved because promises are kept. This is not propaganda. This was people checking vans for safety and stickers this morning at Central Plaza.

I for one thank the Junta for following through on their promises and showing transparency and sincerity in putting the peoples safety first. No contempt shown by the Junta here.

If using mechanics, show me their qualifications.

[Rorri]

In response to those who wanted a picture of the sticker, see the image below. It is an orange sticker that specifies the license plate number and the route destination of the van. Check to see whether the vans' license plates are yellow-colored as well to ensure that they are passenger vans.

Given that a lot of passengers could be foriegners these stickers will mean nothing.

[likewise]

hopefully not only in Bangkok but also the rest of the country.....

[trainman34014]

And when will we see a headline that says '' All passenger vans in Thailand must be driven by competent and properly licenced and tested drivers by today '' ?

[kartman]

sticker very high tech so if the van is used for multiple routes will driver be able to see out of windows

Haha. What a strange comment. Each particular van is scheduled to run in only one fixed route, my friend. They represent the starting point of the route and the final destination. There is no such thing as multiple routes.

I assume you can't read Thai, so I'll explain what the last line of the sticker says. It reads Anusawaree-Rangsit. Anusawaree is the starting point and Rangsit is the final destination.

For example, just think of the MRT. The blue line runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, but it also stops at several other stations in between such as the Sukhumvit, Lumphini, and Chatuchak stations.

But i can read English as in the heading 'ALL' passenger vans and in the other thread about this na Phuket said 'All across the country' doesn't take much to work out the jist of my reply ,don't be boring "my friend" do something useful stand by the side of the road a van will be along soon and need it's oil checking .

[TechnikaIII]

It's a huge task taking up traffic safety. Would almost mean changing Thai culture and identiy. Holding people accountable for what they do wrong is the key to it. Starting with the cities. Vehicle inspections are a good thing. Let's see how the horror traffic develops within a year.

The thousand mile journey begins with the first step.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Returning to Hua Hin from BKK three days ago it was evident that private plated minibuses with obscure tinted windows are being used as passenger transport. The 'body language' is unmistakeable, no yellow plates, exceeding the speed limit, weaving in and out, you know the signs.

[chotthee]

Why not show a picture of the sticker so we know if the van been registered or not.

You you can buy fake ID, fake degree, fake Viagra, fake bar girls (actually they are boys), etc in Thailand; how difficult to photocopy a fake sticker?