The Central Administrative Court ruled today against a controversial order, issued by the Land Transport Department and the Royal Thai Police, which linked traffic fines to annual car registration fees.
The order stated that those who fail to pay traffic fines will not be able to re-register their cars.
A motorist brought the case before the Court after trying to pay his annual car registration fee, but the Land Transport Department refused to issue the car tax sticker unless he paid a speeding fine. Instead, he only received a receipt for the car registration payment.
The respondents included Land Transport Department officials, the director general and the Royal Thai Police.
The complainant argued that the policy was illegal because it denied motorists the opportunity to defend themselves against the fines, which are issued by police without the need for a warrant or court order.
The Court ruled that the refusal to issue the car tax sticker violated the complainant’s rights, adding “Tax payment directly relates to the vehicle, while fine payment concerns the driver. Linking the two is illegitimate and adversely affects the driver,” the Court stated.
The Court also ordered the officials to issue the car tax sticker to the complainant and directed the department to pay him compensation with interest.
