Top “Excuses” Thais Use to Avoid Traffic Fines!

(Photo Credit: freepik)

In Thailand, avoiding traffic fines is a common occurrence

Whether it’s negotiating with police officers, making excuses to avoid the crime, or even finding ways to circumvent the law, these reflect cultural issues, understanding of the law, and weak enforcement systems. In this article, Motorist will tell you the most popular “excuses” that Thais often use when they are stopped and fined with traffic violations.

1. “I was in a rush”

The most common excuse is to say that you were in a rush to take care of urgent business, such as taking a sick person to the hospital, rushing to an important meeting, or rushing to the airport to catch your flight. These excuses are often used to get the officer to sympathize and reduce the penalty. However, in many cases, the “urgency” cited may not be a sufficient reason to violate a traffic law.

2. “I didn’t know it was wrong”

Many people claim that they were unaware that their actions were illegal, such as parking in a no-parking zone, failing to use their turn signal, or not wearing a helmet. Although the “don’t know” excuse does not exempt drivers from liability under the law, some drivers still use this excuse to avoid a fine.

3. “I didn’t mean to do that"

This excuse reflects an attempt to show innocence, such as claiming that you accidentally drove faster than the speed limit or did not see a traffic sign. This excuse is often used to create the impression that the action was due to a mistake, not an intentional violation.

4. “Forgot to bring documents/forgot to renew registration”

Sometimes, drivers may claim that they forgot to bring their driver’s license with them or forgot to renew their vehicle tax, arguing that it was just carelessness and they did not intentionally break the law. This excuse is mostly used to ask for sympathy from the officer.

5. “Please help me”

Appealing for sympathy or referring to relationships, such as “I know this police chief,” or “Please help me. We’re from the same province” are excuses that reflect expectations of the “partisan” system in Thai society.

6. “Can I pay here?”

Although not a direct excuse, asking to pay fines outside the system is still common in some areas. Such actions are often seen as a convenient shortcut, but they increase the problem of corruption in law enforcement.

The use of excuses to avoid traffic fines not only reflects the problem of drivers’ attitudes, but also reflects a system that allows for easy negotiation and law breaking. If such behavior continues, creating traffic discipline in Thai society will remain a distant possibility.

Read More:  Hyundai Palisade: 7-Seat SUV with Starting Price of 2,299,000 Baht

Looking for a  car appraisal?  You can contact us for a free car valuation within 24 hours…