BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 – Starting today, passenger vans plying the streets are required to hold particular stickers showing they have registered for the service, following the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s policy to regulate van services for road safety.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) had been extremely busy yesterday (July 20), as passenger van operators rushed for the last-day vehicle inspection in order to obtain a sticker certifying that they are properly licensed. Under the tightened regulations, all passenger vans that are in service must not be older than 10 years and must pass all safety inspection tests.
DLT Directior-General Adsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket revealed that out of the 1,000 vans that underwent vehicle inspection, 600 of them still have not passed the inspection standards due to poor vehicle conditions. In many vans, safety belts were not installed in all passenger seats.
From now on, van operators who do not take their vans to be properly registered would be held accountable. Violators could receive a jail-term of up to five years and pay a fine of up to 20,000 to 100,000 baht.
Punishments would also be enforced against registered van operators who drive recklessly, go over the speed limit, or drive off their service routes. They would have their license revoked and have charges filed against them.
Should anybody encounter illegal passenger vans or feel dissatisfied with their services, he or she is urged to call the hotline 1584 around the clock.
