Fixed 1,000 Baht Fines for Speeding on Thai Roads

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I’ve seen speed camera signs on the Burapha Withi and Bang Phli-Suksawat expressways for several months now but I’ve always thought that they were bluffing as I neither saw cameras nor heard of anyone receiving a ticket. But that has all changed now as police have just started issuing fines. A friend of mine has just received a speeding ticket through the mail. Included was a sharp colour image of his car and details of his speed and when the picture was taken. The fine was 1,000 Baht. He was apparently doing 137 km/h.

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According to the Bangkok Post, speed limits estabished by the Expressway Authority of Thailand are 80km/h for personal passenger cars and pickups, and 65 km/h for commercial trucks. However, the authority is currently citing only vehicles exceeding 120km/h and 80km/h respectively. I must admit that I often cruise at 100 km/h on these expressways. But even though I’m traveling at the upper limits, many cars overtake me going much faster. It’s annoying when they tailgate me or flash their headlights when I’m are already going past the speed limit. Are they in a rush to die?

There is a debate on as to whether these cameras are effective. Are they just good at collecting a lot of money or will they help prevent accidents? In the UK they set up speed cameras on stretches of road where there has been at least three fatal accidents. Statistics have shown that number of accidents on these roads have dropped. I think that speed cameras alone are not enough. There has to be road safety campaigns too. Drivers have to be educated about stopping distances and overtaking on the inside. Many times a car has pulled in front of me immediately cutting in half my safe stopping distance. However, if these speed cameras can make some drivers think twice then I’m all for it. What do you think?

9 thoughts on “Fixed 1,000 Baht Fines for Speeding on Thai Roads

  • January 30, 2018 at 1:15 pm
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    Speed cameras have been shown to help with road safety.
    However they need to be backed up by an effective infrastructure and bureaucracy.
    Problems include unclear road markings, uncalibrated cameras, poor installation, insufficient signing and an untrained and on occasions corrupt police making enforcement likely to he inconsistent and subject to evasion by those with connections.
    Thai roads in general but even new ones are thoughtlessly designed, putting speed volume and size above safety. The result is traffic that is tempted to speed….this has a knock on effect as other vehicles “go with the flow”.
    So for speed cameras to have any real effect in Thailand one needs to completely reform the role of the police and the judiciary and then re-engineer all the roads. No small task.

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  • September 9, 2016 at 12:17 pm
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    What happens if you don’t pay the fine ??

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  • June 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm
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    Request info…Where do you pay these fines?
    Thanks.

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  • April 18, 2013 at 9:12 pm
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    I must admit I thought it was a fake ticket – the email is a gmail address and the phone number was answered by a chap that claimed it was a wrong number and not Bang Phli police station!!

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  • March 7, 2013 at 8:15 pm
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    Please re-title:
    “500 Baht Tea-Money for Driving Faster…”

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    • March 7, 2013 at 8:20 pm
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      The fine is fixed and is delivered straight to your house by the postman.

      Reply
  • March 7, 2013 at 8:24 am
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    Around 3 years ago I received in the mail a black and white photo of me on my motorcycle on Ramkamhaeng, halfway through an intersection during a (recently turned) red light , along with a ticket for 500 baht. I believe this has been going on in other areas for awhile as well.

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  • March 7, 2013 at 8:05 am
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    That’s their ways of living/driving,,,I sympathy with you but,,,that’s life…take it easy man.

    Reply

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