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Thailand's traffic police must show their faces and warn first offenders before fining
New police order: traffic officers show their faces at checks, warn first and may not push anyone to pay at the roadside.
New police order: traffic officers show their faces at checks, warn first and may not push anyone to pay at the roadside.
1 November 2026 · 2 min read
Contents of this article3 sections
What the order of 25 October changes
With a written order dated 25 October 2026, the Thai police are tightening the rules for traffic checks. It was signed by a senior officer of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, following an instruction from the police chief. Drivers are meant to see who is stopping them. The police want to improve transparency and trust.
Traffic officers may no longer wear balaclavas or other face coverings on duty. A surgical mask and sunglasses are allowed against dust and sun, but both must come off as soon as the officers approach drivers or write a ticket. Exempt are traffic officers of the Royal Initiative Project and the escorts of the royal family, who ride fast and need protection from the wind.
A warning is supposed to come before a fine, especially for minors and first-time offenders. In the Police Ticket Management (PTM) system, the officers check whether the driver has come to their attention before. Four offences are excluded from this leniency: driving the wrong way, running a red light, drink-driving and racing on public roads.
When it comes to paying, officers may not push, threaten or force anyone to pay at the roadside. They must explain the payment deadline and the permitted ways to pay. Demanding money or other benefits is forbidden.
What this means for visitors on a scooter or rental car
The order applies to all road users, not just locals. If you are out on a scooter or in a rental car, you can point out during a check that officers have to show their faces, have to explain how the fine is to be paid, and may not push anyone to pay at the roadside. It is an internal order, not a new law. In everyday practice, checks can differ from place to place.
A warning does not replace a driving licence. If you drive without the right licence, you still get into trouble, and without a valid licence the insurance cannot pay out either. On top of that, the helmet requirement and the alcohol limit still apply.
Related
Which licence you need for the scooter and what a check costs is covered in the guide Riding a scooter in Thailand. Further rules and penalties for visitors are explained in the guide What is forbidden in Thailand.
Sources: The Thaiger (26 October 2026).