The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday voted to accept for debate draft legislation allowing motorists to pay traffic fines at convenience stores and banks.
Police issued about 1.4 million tickets for traffic violations in Bangkok last year, but only 400,000 motorists took the trouble to pay the fines at the issuing police station or a post office. Fines should be paid within 7 days.
The assembly meeting, chaired by NLA vice-president Surachai Liangboonlertchai, accepted the bill in principle for further consideration by 181 votes, with three abstentions.
The assembly also set up a committee to study the bill and report back in 30 days.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the Royal Thai Police Office was increasing the number of places where traffic fines could be paid by motorists whose driving licences had not been seized to encourage more payments.
It meant ticketed motorists would also not need to pay cash to officers on duty, in a bid to prevent corruption.
Some NLA members raised concern about a possible monopoly by certain convenience stores that would be allowed to receive payments from offending motorists.
Mr Wisanu said offending motorists would also be able to pay fines at banks, department stores or other venues chosen by authorities.
With only 40% of offending motorists payng fines at the moment, other ways were needed, he said.
The cabinet earlier resolved to ask the Royal Thai Police, the Transport Ministry, the Council of State and relevant agencies to revamp the entire Land Traffic Act to instill traffic discipline on the roads, solve problems with collection of fines, and increase road safety, the deputy prime minister said.
Pol Lt Col Anan Srihiran, an assistant national police chief, said traffic police issued 1.4 million traffic tickets to violating motorists in Bangkok last year. Only 400,000 were paid.
Police were considering other measures such as a points system for offences and refusing to pay traffic fines, leading to revocation of the driver's licence, he said.
The main bank that would receive fine payments would be Krungthai Bank, he added.