PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS OF TRAFFIC OFFICERS UNDER THE LAND TRAFFIC ACT B.E. 2522 (1979)

Abstract

Road accidents in Thailand remain a critical issue that continues to affect lives and property. Although laws are in place to regulate road user behavior particularly the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) there are still various structural challenges in law enforcement. These include ambiguous statutory provisions, the exercise of discretion by officers without clear criteria, and the absence of an effective and transparent oversight mechanism. This study aims to analyze the structural problems in traffic law enforcement in Thailand and to compare them with the legal measures adopted in developed countries such as Singapore, Japan, and France, which demonstrate strict enforcement, transparency, and the effective integration of advanced technology.

          The findings reveal that Thailand continues to face fundamental problems in enforcing traffic laws, namely: penalties that are inappropriate or insufficiently flexible; unregulated discretion by traffic officers; and a lack of comprehensive systems for checks and balances. In contrast, Singapore, Japan, and France have adopted modernized legal frameworks, strict enforcement policies, inter-agency collaboration, and technology-based mechanisms for monitoring and controlling traffic offenses—making their systems significantly more effective than that of Thailand.

          Hence, the author would like to suggest the following. (1) The provisions of the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) should be revised to be clearer, more comprehensive, and better aligned with the severity of offenses, especially regarding the use of discretion by traffic officers; (2) Penalties should be more proportionate and reflective of offense severity to enhance fairness and road safety; (3) A more effective system for monitoring and enforcing traffic laws should be developed through the use of technology to ensure comprehensive data collection and accountability; and (4) Mechanisms for inter-agency integration should be established to promote effective coordination and ensure ongoing legal updates in response to societal changes. These reforms will help enhance the fairness, efficiency, and sustainability of traffic law enforcement in Thailand and contribute to a long-term reduction in road accidents.