The Council of State has rejected a proposal to bar traffic offenders who failed to pay fines from renewing their annual vehicle registration on the ground it would be unconstitutional.
Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), said Sunday the rejection came after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) proposed to revise the law concerning fine regulations under the 1979 Land Traffic Act.
Pol Maj Gen Adul said the proposal to ban offenders from renewing their registration each year would not be raised again.
The RTP had also earlier put the proposal to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) but the DLT dismissed the request twice, said Pol Maj Gen Adul.
The RTP inquired about the matter with the Council of State which said the revision was unable to proceed as it went against the constitution.
However, the council suggested the RTP should increase traffic fines instead.
Pol Maj Gen Adul said the scale of penalties for those who violated the traffic law will be raised instead.
Violators who received traffic tickets but failed to pay the fines within 60 days will face a fine of 400-1,000 baht, up from the previous range of 200-1,000 baht.
The rate will be increased to 1,000-5,000 baht after 60 days and 2,000-10,000 baht with a prison term of up to three months or both after 180 days.
Pol Maj Gen Adul said the MPB approved the change to fine rates.
The proposal has been passed to the RTP's Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation for a decision before being proposed to the Council of State.
If it is approved, the matter would be presented to the National Legislative Assembly.
Pol Maj Gen Adul said the council has also approved an over-the-counter fine payment system for the sake of motorist convenience.