Metropolitan Police to fine jaywalkers in Bangkok

[Local Drunk]

Zebra crossings are just decorations on Thailand's streets - painted on to indicate that its a street and you can drive your car along it. Its rare for me to see any car stop at a zebra crossing for a pedestrian. Personally, I have been able to remove every trace of my old belief that a car will slow down for me when crossing the road - its a necessary step to survive in Thailand. The police may feel like beating their chests because they start doing their job and handing out a few tickets to drivers around zebra crossings, but in reality they are so pathetic.

Actually, the way that Thai's think is along the lines of "There aren't any zebras in Thailand" throttle through!

Edited September 2, 2014 by Local Drunk

[razer]

In the same spirit .... when are they going after the drivers who speed through Zebra Crossings making pedestrians dodge the bullet so to speak? Often it is safer to jaywalk.

[pspary]

Yes, and the yellow Porsche is parked too!

[razer]

They actually expect the police to get outside and work. Ain't going to happen more than a day or two if they can't be collecting tea money.

[lagarto]

What the government has to do is use these police officers to lead the pedestrian crossing the streets instead.

[bob6130]

What is the LAW concerning zebra crossings.

It seems that you take your life in your hands to cross a road anywhere, including crossings.

If the Thais do not respect the road law how can this be an offense by pedestrians.

Also every street is filled with venders that claim the pavement as their own so you have to walk in the road to avoid them.

Crazy, Crazy.

[MrBrad]

I'm sure they did this before a couple of years ago and it was the same then with everyone pointing out that vehicles don't stop at crossings. I don't either now although I'm ready to if someone steps out.

I remember seeing a video of a crossing controlled by lights in Pattaya or Phuket and nobody stopped when the light was red including the police.

[kimamey]

I'm sure they did this before a couple of years ago and it was the same then with everyone pointing out that vehicles don't stop at crossings. I don't either now although I'm ready to if someone steps out.

I remember seeing a video of a crossing controlled by lights in Pattaya or Phuket and nobody stopped when the light was red including the police.

Thanks. That's the one I saw.

[Benmart]

One Day at a Time.

Progress and change is determined by someone other than my self-centered-self.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Benmart

[BestBitterPhuket]

Thailand will beame same as singapore in future, dont chew gum in public, dont walk there,dont smoke there, dont do this, dont do that. haha

And that's a good thing. Singapore should be a model for most countries in the world.

[SilverBeast]

Thailand will beame same as singapore in future, dont chew gum in public, dont walk there,dont smoke there, dont do this, dont do that. haha

And that's a good thing. Singapore should be a model for most countries in the world.

Nanny State Lover.

I'm not exactly sure what people would complain about in that video. I saw many people successfully cross the street and efficient traffic flow. Quit your complaining and look both ways before you cross the street. That's what we teach kids around here anyways. Last thing we need is a bunch of grown up babies getting their hands held by the police to cross the street like you are calling for.

[Torrens54]

I was under the impression that Crosswalks in Thailand, were simply there so Motorists, including Motor-Cyclists had a better chance to

"LINE-UP" Pedestrians, in particular the FARANG and see how many they could hit.

[Thongkorn]

I suppose its only a law for foreign people , the same as Bike helmets, and three on a bike.

[Mzungu]

Well, the sign is in English only. Unless I missed one in Thai.

[choochoo]

How about installing more crosswalks?

How about inforcing a law for traffic that will not stop for you at one?

How about inforcing a law for traffic that will actually speed up when you try to use one?

How about inforcing a law for traffic that obstruct crosswalks?

What a joke...

very INstructive............lol

[chooka]

The problem are the uncomfortable walkover bridges.

They are 8 meters high, very steep, and the stairs are very narrow.

On top of the bridges you'll have to pass sellers, beggars, homeless people, drunken people and on your way up or down you need to find a way around the electricity cables.

If they would build comfortable, aircondioned tunnels in steads of bridges less people would be tempted to risk their lives.

Would you like travelators in those airconditioned tunnels also

[bapoboy]

I wish that Thailand changed the traffic laws to be like in Finland and Switzerland where the fine is based on your salary/income. Highest fine (ever) for speeding in Finland € 120000 and in Switzerland 1 million CHF... you don't even have to pay that kind of money if you kill someone here in Thailand!

So I think that if the fines were higher then people just might start thinking about the others in traffic too and not just about "ME, MYSELF and

BUT most off european countries are communistic, if they do this in finland and switzerland the goverment/police rob the pepole for money, so if you get a huge fine like that, how can you eat without money ???

[kerrysum]

Generally,

I always found that in many places in Bangkok, I could walk faster than the traffic. Which is why I always avoided it, if I possibly could. Bangkok has always been a link to get where I wanted to go to, mainly check in and check out ASAP.

[bapoboy]

Ahhh, a new crackdown! No week without a new crackdown in Thailand these day.

All the crackdowns involving traffic seem to be in Bangkok, what about a crackdown on unlicenced drivers and underage motorcyclists here up country? There are plenty of them.

what about have focus on real criminal, drug smugglers,thief,pedophile., etc etc....

[spidermike007]

Will they fine motorists who fail to stop at zebra crossings?

What's also needed is a hard hitting campaign to made drivers more aware of the law - when a pedestrian steps foot onto the zebra crossing all traffic must stop.

My understanding is that many drivers are not really aware of the law on this matter.

An example: I have both Thai and foreign students (at the moment mostly from Germany) in many MBA courses and last year one of the German students almost got killed, he assumed that zebra crossing laws were the same all over the world and he started to cross. He was sideswiped but not seriously injured and the car didn't stop.

Several of the Thai students spoke up and said that there is no requirement in Thai traffic law for cars / vehicles to stop at these crossings. They are there to make it look nice,

Other Thai students quickly disagreed and said vehicles must stop when pedestrians start to cross, and mentioned that the appropriate laws are the same as most countries in the world.

The group who had indicated 'no requirement to stop' continued to take that line.

Another student said she would call her uncle - a mid level policeman and ask him. She called immediately on speaker phone. He listened while she explained her question and then responded. 'Vehicles must stop when a pedestrian starts to cross and the vehicles must not move until all the pedestrians have stepped onto the opposite footpath'.

The law may be in place, but common sense is required, in order to survive in this world. I myself, would never consider stepping in front of traffic here, assuming they will stop. In a place like Los Angeles, where the pedestrian is considered holy, and all must stop, people still get killed by cars. I often see people there behaving in such a foolish manner. Walking out in front of traffic without even so much as a glance to see if anyone is coming. LA has the most arrogant pedestrians in the world. But here? There is little in the way of courtesy on the part of most drivers, and I am often astonished at how aggressive drivers are here. So, why on earth would you take that kind of chance? Just wait a moment or two, until it is safe to cross. I would rather maintain my bodily health than save two minutes. One encounter with a car as a pedestrian and your life is forever changed.

Edited September 2, 2014 by spidermike007

[bapoboy]

We see how things are in the UK police have mostly focused on traffik offenses, and at least focus on radical Muslims to bomb the country in the future. thieves, pedophiles, drug smugglere can walk around freely because the government gives priority to safety in traffic over serious matters .. rioters in traffic is treated as murderers would think, getting insanely high fines, whether they really criminals just walk around freely without concern for be taken, this is not just here but in many other European countries too .... welcome to EUROPE .....

Those who decide to stay in Thailand must live with how it is there and accept what Thailand has it, to complain to simply and book a one way ticket to fantastic europe .... as we say here in the uk do not like you our country , we refuse ye to go home to their sharia paradise.

[cgphuket]

Interesting to see how the police are responding to the army taking over their criminal activities, now the police have to blow the dust off the law books and find some chicken <deleted> offenses they can use to shake down more 200 baht fines. Pretty soon the police mafia will be on welfare....

[jacko45k]

Haha, in a country where people set up stalls blocking the pavement and motorcycles ride on it you can now be fined for walking in the road!

[spidermike007]

Ahhh, a new crackdown! No week without a new crackdown in Thailand these day.

All the crackdowns involving traffic seem to be in Bangkok, what about a crackdown on unlicenced drivers and underage motorcyclists here up country? There are plenty of them.

what about have focus on real criminal, drug smugglers,thief,pedophile., etc etc....

You are referring to law enforcement, not revenue collection. Two very different things. I could make a case that what we see here is primarily the latter. So, why on earth would you expect the police here to go after criminals?

[captspectre]

So, I guess the payment to the BiB will be now down to 100 baht?

as it will be paid in "CASH" all of it will probably go to the bib's who's to watch them?

[Kasset Tak]

I wish that Thailand changed the traffic laws to be like in Finland and Switzerland where the fine is based on your salary/income. Highest fine (ever) for speeding in Finland 120000 and in Switzerland 1 million CHF... you don't even have to pay that kind of money if you kill someone here in Thailand!

So I think that if the fines were higher then people just might start thinking about the others in traffic too and not just about "ME, MYSELF and

BUT most off european countries are communistic, if they do this in finland and switzerland the goverment/police rob the pepole for money, so if you get a huge fine like that, how can you eat without money ???

1. As I wrote the fine is depending on your income/wealth.

2. European countries being communistic!? Are you an uneducated Yankee or just ignorant? There is a difference in being communist and socialist:

In a communist country everyone must work for the country.

In a socialist country the country works for it citizens. And in a capitalist country I work for ME.

Socialism and capitalism coexist in most European countries today where the country take care of things like education and healthcare and other things are privately owned even some schools and hospitals. But in US its a big NoNo to take care/responsibility for the others in society, it's just about ME!

I think Thailand need to be more like Europe than US in taking care of its citizens as most people are living on low incomes here.

[jossthaifarang]

What is jaywalkers, certainly not something I've heard of??

Read and try and learn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywalking

Why have to be such a patronising tosser!!

Well your question certainly calls for it, in fact it screams out loud: SOMEBODY PLEASE PATRONISE ME! I considered doing it myself, Ratcatcher just beat me to it..

[hawker9000]

Aren't most of the zebra-striped crosswalks we're talking about, in BKK anyway, located at stoplighted intersections? Drivers SHOULD be stopped & fined for failing to stop for a pedestrian in such a crosswalk, but pedestrians should NOT be crossing against the light. The most common violation I see is pedestrians HAVING the light with them, but drivers - all of 'em - continuing to turn "left on red" with them in the crosswalk. Even when police are actively present in a police booth monitoring the intersection, I've never seen them do anything about it.

[nightcruiser]

Bet the "one" person who was fined just happened to be a Farang

[louse1953]

How about fining drivers for not stopping at zebra crossings so i can cross road safely.I admit i don't stop,only because of fear of being rearended.