The new rule just went into effect yesterday but already, the owner and operator of a passenger van were fined for carrying too many passengers on Monday.
The new law states that only 13 passengers can ride at any one time, but on this particular van — which still had 17 seats despite the section of the new law stating the seats for passengers exceeding 13 must be removed — there were even passengers standing up.
Driver Prajit Suwannasaeng, 55, had to pay a THB5,000 fine and had his license suspended for 15 days.
The company that owns the van, Maha Phram Co, was fined 20,000 bht and had their name added to a list of offenders. If they are caught breaking the law again, they can face additional charges.
Prajit was charged after a passenger posted to social media that his driver kept stopping to pick up more passengers despite the new law.
(Source:Coconuts/Bangkok Post)