Nationwide crackdown puts the brakes on illegal exhaust pipes, curbs street racing in Thailand

A nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of illegal exhaust pipes for motorcycles took place today.

The operation, led by the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), targeted 21 locations across 11 provinces. The mission aimed to curb street racing activities, especially as winter season trips by groups of young people are on the rise.

The CIB, headed by Police Lieutenant General Vithaya Sriprasertphap, along with officials from the Department of Industrial Works (DIW), conducted searches in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Saraburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Sawan and Sakon Nakhon.

The operation involved the inspection of 11 production sites, eight warehouses, and two retail outlets for motorbike exhaust pipes, said a CIB spokesperson.

“The inspection and seizure operations are part of the policies of the Royal Thai Police and the Public Racing Prevention and Suppression Centre.

“With the onset of winter and the approach of the festive season, there is an increase in the number of street racing groups organising trips, with thousands of modified motorcycles participating, causing inconvenience to other road users.”

During the operation, the authorities were able to seize 954 units of exhaust pipes without Industrial Product Standards (IPS) certification and various manufacturing equipment, worth approximately 2 million baht. The seized items were handed over to the investigation officers of the 3rd Office of the CIB for further legal proceedings.

The owner of these items will face charges of manufacturing industrial products without permission, which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 2 million baht. Sellers of these products could face up to six months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 500,000 baht, reported KhaoSod.

“In our arrests, we found that most of the producers of non-IPS certified exhaust pipes sell their products through closed online groups to avoid arrest.

“They keep parts separated and only assemble them when a customer places an order. Prices range from 500 baht to 6,000 baht per piece. Some producers, despite having permits from the DIW, modify their products and do not comply with the standards they were originally permitted for. We will continue to track and arrest these offenders.”