Phuket transport chief confirms pickup passengers allowed, no seatbelts required in tuk-tuks

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Phuket transport chief confirms pickup passengers allowed, no seatbelts required in tuk-tuks

Shela Riva

 

Riding in the back of pickup trucks is legal, Phuket's Land Transport chief has confirmed. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET: -- While Bangkok authorities this week debated whether or not people can ride in the back of pickup trucks – a common practice across Thailand – the Chief of the Phuket Land and Transport Office (PLTO) has confirmed to The Phuket News that it is beyond doubt legal to ride in the back of pickup trucks on Thai roads.

 

“Passengers in the back of pickup trucks are allowed,” PLTO Chief Banyat Kantha told The Phuket News.

 

“This is because Section 21 of the Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) was amended in 2003 so that a private vehicle such as a private pick up truck – with vehicle weight of not more than 1,600 kilograms – may be used as a private car and is permitted to carry more than seven passengers,” he explained.

 

“Families in Thailand, for a long time, have used pick-up trucks as private family vehicles. They are often required to transport all the members of a large family. So it is allowed,” he added.

 

Regarding the new law requiring all passengers to wear seatbelts, which was launched April 5, Chief Banyat noted, “Passengers in public transportation vehicles such as tuk-tuks and songthaew (trucks or pickups converted to carry passengers) are not required to wear seatbelts as these vehicles are not installed with seatbelts for the back passengers.

 

“Drivers and front seat passengers in these vehicles, however, do need to wear seatbelts,” Chief Banyat explained.

 

However, whether people will be able to continue to ride in the back of pickups in the future remains unclear.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-transport-chief-confirms-pickup-passengers-allowed-no-seatbelts-required-in-tuk-tuks-61701.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-04-07

[Stargeezr]

The Phuket chief should also know that the 7 plus people mean the 3 or 4 in the cab  of the pickup.

  It s not excuse for 5 in the cab and 7 or 8 more in the pickup box.  Thailand may have poor people who

cannot afford to have more than a pickup, but if Thailand wants to get their vehicle death rates down at

all, then start enforcing the restrictions of no more than 6 people in the rear as well as not let more than

the seat belts allow in the pickup cabs. 21 century people, time or even countries like Thailand to

change their attitudes and ways.  Stop the excuses!

Geezer

[PETERTHEEATER]

“Passengers in the back of pickup trucks are allowed,” PLTO Chief Banyat Kantha told The Phuket News.

 

“This is because Section 21 of the Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) was amended in 2003 so that a private vehicle such as a private pick up truck – with vehicle weight of not more than 1,600 kilograms – may be used as a private car and is permitted to carry more than seven passengers,” he explained.

 

“Families in Thailand, for a long time, have used pick-up trucks as private family vehicles. They are often required to transport all the members of a large family. So it is allowed,” he added.

 

Really? But does the new edict not over-ride the amendment?