News Forum - Phuket police officially ban electric scooters from public roads, in wake of tourist rental crackdown

[Thaiger]

In the wake of last week’s “scooter-gate” crackdown in Patong, electric scooters have now been officially banned from all public roads in Phuket. Local police stations received an official notice from Major General Sermphan yesterday clarifying how the stand-up form of scooter transportation, popular among tourists on the island, fits in with existing laws. He stated that anyone caught riding an electric scooter on a public road could be fined up to 10,000 baht under section 6 of the motor vehicle act for operating an unregistered vehicle on a public road. No license exists or electric scooters, so offenders could […]

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[DoUKnowWhoIAm]

If it's about traffic safety(which I doubt), then consider a ban on motorbikes too?

[Loong]

Quote

 

He stated that anyone caught riding an electric scooter on a public road could be fined up to 10,000 baht under section 6 of the motor vehicle act for operating an unregistered vehicle on a public road.

No license exists or electric scooters, so offenders could also be charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle, Sermphan said. That’s because the Department of Land Transport does not recognize the scooters as vehicles, so they can’t be registered and no license given for their operation.

 

If they are not recognised as vehicles, how can they be charged with operating a vehicle or being unlicensed??????

[HolyCowCm]

Then by their law, legally almost all bicylces are not acceptable on the road as most do not have lights or a bell. This is all about them trying to save face as like, do you know hwo we are! Yet just another a knee jerk reaction by these type of clowns.

[Stonker]

6 hours ago, HolyCowCm said:

This is all about them trying to save face as like, do you know hwo we are! Yet just another a knee jerk reaction by these type of clowns.

I'd say the police turned a blind eye for as long as they could and as long as it did no harm.

Some stupid tourists abused it and annoyed people, then the expat media made a big deal out of nothing, so everybody loses.

Som nam na Phuket.

[DiJoDavO]

Oh no! They figured out a way to get around Phuket without taking a taxi! Let's stop this terrible behavior! 

A few days ago I posted: What's next? Arresting tourists who walk to their hotels for not taking a taxi? 

I guess I was not far from the truth... 

[RayT]

No different to how these e-scooters are viewed in the UK, except those used by hire companies who have insurance.

[Noble_Design]

Thaiger's advertisement algorithm sure is being funny:

[HiuMak]

a lot of countries do not register these e-scooter legally.

When they ride along pavements they pose a danger to pedestrians