Mobile phone ban nets six on first day

PHUKET: Up until 5 pm today, the first day of the ban on driving while using a mobile phone without a hands-free set, Phuket Traffic Police fined six motorists.

Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Chalit Thintanee told the Gazette that three car drivers and two motorcycle riders were fined in Phuket City and one car driver was fined in Thalang.

“In Phuket City, we set up a checkpoint at the intersection near Satree Phuket School and Traffic Police on motorcycles were told to keep an eye out while on patrol around the island.

“We also have 48 CCTV cameras set up around the island, which we will use to catch people. We will ‘capture’ the image of the driver using his phone [without a hands-free set] and send a copy of the photo and the fine to be paid to the registered address of the owner of the car,” he explained.

“So far, none of those charged has contested the fine,” he added.

Col Chalit explained that all the motorists caught today were fined 400 baht. Drivers who pose a greater risk to others, such as truck and bus drivers, will be fined more than 400 baht, up to the 1,000 baht maximum.

The fine also incurs a 10-point penalty on the driver’s license. Drivers who amass 60 points within any one year will face a 90-day ban on driving.

“We will enforce this seriously to improve the safety of drivers on the road,” he said.