The constabulary released the figures on Friday and said its campaign to reclaim the city’s footpaths for pedestrians would continue until motorcyclists stopped breaking the law. The police operation started on 19 November 2014.
Before the action started, the force released a statement asking Bangkokians to call 1197 if they saw any motorcycles being ridden on footpaths. The statement said that any violators would be subjected to on-the-spot fines of between THB400 and THB1,000.
The crackdown appears to be working as calls recorded on 1197 have dropped dramatically since the start. The number of offenders has tapered off also and police say they only fine about 250 motorcyclists a day now. They say this is a fall of 60 per cent when compared to 19 November.
Bangkok residents quizzed by reporters say they feel safer on city footpaths now. Municipal workers also say footpaths are sustaining less damage than before. Motorcyclists often take advantage of pavements in areas such as Sukhumvit Road to get around Bangkok’s infamous traffic jams.
Bangkok pavement motorcyclist crackdown continues
News in Asia
The drive to rid Bangkok’s footpaths of motorcycles continues unabated and police say multiple offenders have been penalised. The Thai capital’s metropolitan police force says almost 8,000 motorcyclists have been punished for the offence since the crackdown got underway.