Police rev up crackdown on illegal exhausts to silence street racers
Police in Thailand conducted a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale of modified motorcycle exhausts, seizing nearly 1,000 items to curb street racing gangs in an operation targeting manufacturers, storage facilities, and retailers across several provinces.
Officers led by the Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police Major General Wichaya Sriprasertphap launched raids in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Ubon Ratchathani.
They confiscated 988 units of motorcycle exhausts and related equipment, with an estimated value of 2 million baht. Officers targeted all stages of the illegal exhaust trade, from production sites and distribution warehouses to retail shops and repair and modification outlets.
The campaign aims to disrupt street racing gangs, often involving teenagers who modify their motorcycles to race on public roads, causing disturbances to other road users. The Royal Thai Police have prioritised cracking down on public road racing, prompting these comprehensive raids.
Most of the sellers operated through closed online groups to evade detection. The exhaust systems were reportedly only built for specific orders by customers, with prices ranging from 500 to 6,000 baht per exhaust, according to the CPPD.
Legal motorcycle exhausts must bear the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) mark and have a noise level not exceeding 95 decibels.
Following the arrests, the suspects were handed over to investigators at Division 3, CPPD where they face charges of manufacturing industrial products without authorisation which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 2 million baht, or both.
Additionally, the suspects also face charges of selling or possessing unauthorised industrial products, with intent to sell, which could result in up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both, reported KhaoSod.
In separate news, cyber police raided two key locations, dismantling a major e-cigarette network and seizing over 80,000 items worth more than 17 million baht. Two suspects were apprehended, claiming they were merely caretakers.
