BANGKOK, 2 October 2015 – Motorist safety campaigners have submitted a petition containing 35,000 signatures to the National Police Headquarters asking it to amend the current system of traffic fine collection.
The campaigners asked National Police Chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaichinda to revoke the policy of sharing 60% of a traffic fine with the police officer who issues the ticket. They argued that this practice leads to police setting up makeshift checkpoints to earn extra money, victimizing motorcyclists and low-wage earners.
The activists suggested that the police instead approve pay rises for its officers, to reduce the need to fine low-income motorists. They expect the National Police Chief to study their proposal within a month.
Spokesman of the Royal Thai Police Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, who received the petition on behalf of Pol Gen Chakthip, said he would submit their proposal to the National Police Chief and discuss solutions to the problem.
