Hua Hin Police Traffic Stops

[STEVE G]

"You're OK, but if either of you wasn't wearing a seat belt, it would have been a 100 Baht fine each."

I've never been stopped for it around Hua Hin but both in Issan and around Bangkok, I've been stopped for it a few times over the years, (I always wear a seat belt but often Thais in the passenger seat don't.) I had one policeman in Bangkok at one of those roadblocks who even tried to get me for it after I'd taken off the belt to get my driving license out but he gave up on that one when the Thais in the back seat all fell about laughing!

[richard]

It's OVALTINE money time

Never seen 'em out working this late before

Cricket was getting frustrating to watch so popped out on to the balcony. MIB pulling all and sundry in on Petcha going north outside the Condo Chain

[sandemb]

Strange as it may seem, legislation says all passengers must wear seat belts where fitted. All vehicles post 1995 must have belts (some exceptions - heavy vehicles). Wearing seat belts is only enforced for front seat. Surveys have shown that less than 50% of drivers actually wear them. The govt is trying to remedy this, hence more roadside stops. Actually more tea money for BIB! Maybe the message will get through eventually. Then again TIT!!

[Ralfredo]

All vehicles post 1995 must have belts (some exceptions - heavy vehicles).

All? What about Tuc Tucs? Or maybe they are not considered a vehicle. I might not be quite familiar with the definition of the term "vehicle".

[HHTel]

Because tuk-tuk's are illegal. They don't exist. Never seen one in Thailand!!!!!!

[Ralfredo]

Because tuk-tuk's are illegal. They don't exist. Never seen one in Thailand!!!!!!

Ha, Ha. OK, now I see. I must have been dreaming because once i thought I saw one. Must have been in some other country I guess.

[sandemb]

Tuk - tuk, car or motor cycle? Or means for A - B at huge expense to tourists?

The serious side!!!

[Takiap]

As others have pointed out BB, seat belt laws have been in place for several years already. I actually remember being in a taxi once where the driver quickly reached for his seat belt as we approached a police stop, telling me the police will fine you if you don't have your seat belt on.


I think you'll find that "superstition" is to blame for many Thai not using seat belts. Putting a seat belt on would suggest that you actually believe you might be in an accident, and as such, you're inviting trouble. Another example would be the fact that most Thais won't buy baby stuff until it's almost time to give birth.


I always wear a seat belt and I believe they are good things, but sometimes I wonder if laws shouldn't be focusing more on the use of mobile phones in cars.

[Ginjaninja]

I think you'll find that "superstition" is to blame for many Thai not using seat belts. Putting a seat belt on would suggest that you actually believe you might be in an accident, and as such, you're inviting trouble. Another example would be the fact that most Thais won't buy baby stuff until it's almost time to give birth.

Nothing like a bit of tempting fate...
GN.

[Ginjaninja]

Got stopped twice yesterday on our bike run out to Kaeng Krachan. First stop was on the Pa La-U road but waved on after showing only my U.K. licence. Second stop was very strangely right on a corner of the very back road out past the pineapple factory heading for K.K.. The police at this stop were are little harder on me and demanded I go to the police station because I didn't have a Thai licence or international licence. Of course the 'pay-now' fine was soon reduced from 500thb to 100thb after some hardcore interaction from Mrs. Hilux (forum members wife).
But I'm so happy I got the whole thing videoed on my GoPro. I was going to upload to YouTube however after some discussion with the gang we thought it in our best interests not to.... until I can get my head round blurring number plates and faces that is..... Great video that could possibly go viral.
Anyway Thai licence for me - naughty boy..

GN.

Edit: 300th post....

[Bristolian]

Got stopped twice yesterday on our bike run out to Kaeng Krachan. First stop was on the Pa La-U road but waved on after showing only my U.K. licence. Second stop was very strangely right on a corner of the very back road out past the pineapple factory heading for K.K.. The police at this stop were are little harder on me and demanded I go to the police station because I didn't have a Thai licence or international licence. Of course the 'pay-now' fine was soon reduced from 500thb to 100thb after some hardcore interaction from Mrs. Hilux (forum members wife).
But I'm so happy I got the whole thing videoed on my GoPro. I was going to upload to YouTube however after some discussion with the gang we thought it in our best interests not to.... until I can get my head round blurring number plates and faces that is..... Great video that could possibly go viral.
Anyway Thai licence for me - naughty boy..

GN.

Edit: 300th post....

I have to admit that the Thai license is the way to go. I drove for 11 years without a Thai license and was stopped regularly and needed to top up the tea fund. For the last 2 years I have both a Thai car and motorcycle license and have not been stopped once during this period. How do they know???

Well done on 300th Post

[Big Boy]

I'm stopped fairly regularly, but as long as I can produce a Thai licence and latterly have my seat belt fastened, I'm waved on with a smile.

[Bristolian]

BB from your posts, you drive a pick-up and expensive as they may be, they are a police target vehicle. I drive a Toyota Camry and they do not attract the same police attention. I am sure that the Honda Accord etc fall into the same “ignore group”. I certainly get the same attention as anyone else for speeding but at police road blocks simply get waved on – so far!

[Big Boy]

After reading the 'horror extortion' stories of the BIB in Thailand, I was horrified the first time I was stopped. However, I soon learnt that as long as I was within the law there was nothing to fear. Certainly no illegal requests for tea money.

As far as I'm concerned they can stop me every day - I'm retired, and in no hurry. These roadblocks might eventually deter some of the idiots from the roads in Thailand. A recent example, I had just bought my egg poacher from Index a couple of days ago. I was about to leave when we watched somebody drive their pick-up out of the car park and turn right .

[Ginjaninja]

You're spot-on BB. Yesterday I was in the wrong as I didn't have the valid licences as per the law. I had the option of going to the police station and wasting a day or paying up for the tea-fund and enjoying the rest of the day on the road with the bike still in breach of the law. Wouldn't happen back home....
Index story is a cracker.

GN.