In Prachuap Khiri Khan province, at the Department of Land Transport (DLT), vehicle owners who are renewing their annual taxes are facing unforeseen fees totaling 735,000 baht due to outstanding traffic fines. If the fines can't be paid on the spot, a provisional tax renewal slip, effective for 30 days, is provided. Within this period, the fines must be settled for the vehicle owners to obtain their official tax renewal paperwork.
This initiative, part of a collaborative effort with the Royal Thai Police initiated on April 24, 2023, has brought to light the issue of outstanding traffic fines, which in some cases exceeded the vehicle taxes themselves.
Thaweeporn Permthawee, the Director of the DLT office in Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been instrumental in this campaign. Under his leadership, the office has adeptly managed the delicate task of tax renewal while ensuring that traffic fines are addressed. This approach is particularly relevant to Hua Hin residents, many of whom frequently travel through Prachuap Khiri Khan for business and leisure, underscoring the importance of this regulation in the broader context of road safety and legal compliance in the region.
The process is straightforward yet firm: when vehicle owners arrive to renew their taxes, the DLT cross-references their details with a national database for any outstanding fines. Should there be any, these fines must be cleared before the vehicle tax can be processed. In cases where immediate payment is not feasible, the DLT issues a 30-day temporary tax renewal slip, after which the official documents are sent to the owner's registered address, upon clearance of fines.
Since the implementation of this integrated system, the DLT in Prachuap Khiri Khan has processed traffic fines for 1,346 vehicles, amounting to 735,000 baht. This is a significant figure, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities are approaching road safety and legal compliance.
In situations where vehicle owners dispute the fines, possibly due to number plate theft or impersonation, they are advised to present evidence at their local police station to resolve the issue. This is especially pertinent for Hua Hin residents, who might find themselves inadvertently caught up in these situations due to the high volume of vehicles passing through the region.
For those in Hua Hin and the surrounding areas, a preemptive check for unpaid traffic fines is recommended at https://ptm.police.go.th before proceeding with vehicle tax renewal. This proactive measure can prevent unexpected charges and ensure a smoother process, aligning with the region's ethos of responsible citizenship and adherence to regulations.
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