Traffic checkpoint inflated fines

Paano gumagana ang scam na ito

Police set up traffic checkpoints on popular scooter routes — the road to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Pai's main road, Koh Samui ring road, and Phuket's coastal roads. Tourists riding without a helmet (fine: 400-500 THB) or without an International Driving Permit (fine: 500-1,000 THB) are stopped and told the fine is 2,000-5,000 THB. Officers may also cite additional violations (no mirrors, wrong license plate light) to stack fines. Some checkpoints only stop foreign riders while waving through locals. The practice is not strictly illegal since the violations are real, but the inflated amounts take advantage of tourist ignorance of actual fine schedules.