Starting next Monday, cars parked illegally on congested roads in metropolitan Bangkok will be towed away to areas near local police stations, and it will cost owners 1,000 baht to reclaim their vehicles.
Bangkok police plan to use a more stringent measure against motorists who park their cars illegally. (Photo by Kosol Nakachol)
Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, deputy Bangkok police chief supervising traffic, said on Wednesday that enforcement of the the new regulation will ease traffic problems.
It will initially be applied at 10 heavily congested roads from Oct 21 -- Lat Phrao, Rama 4, Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek, Ramkhamhaeng, Phahon Yothin-Kaset Nawamin, Sathorn, Ratchadamnoen, Phetchaburi and Vibhavadi-Rangsit.
The new penalties will then be enforced on 50 more routes in November and then later on all roads in the capital, he said.
At the moment, policemen put wheel clamps on illegally parked cars and motorists have to pay a 500 baht fine to have them removed..
Towing the vehicles away will help open up lanes during rush hours, reducing traffic jams in Bangkok. Police will assess the effectiveness of the scheme every three months, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Adul said the tow trucks to be used will be unveiled at Victory Monument on Friday at 1pm.
Officers will demonstrate procedures they will use to tow away illegally parked cars, so people will understand their vehicles will not be damaged.
Some of the tow trucks have been provided by the state and others by private companies, he added.
Last week, Transport Ministry permanent secretary Somchai Siriwatanachoke said the measure will be strictly imposed and no vehicles will be spared if they are parked in banned areas.
"Officials will tow them away immediately to prevent traffic congestion. This can be done around the clock in heavily congested areas," Mr Somchai said.
Officials will also tackle street vendors who obstruct traffic flow or occupy footpaths in a way that forces people to walk on the road, he said.