BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Royal Thai Police ran a nationwide “warn first, then fine” campaign from January to March 2026 to strengthen compliance with traffic rules, while vehicles emitting excessive black smoke were excluded from any leniency.
Warning before fines to boost road safety
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma said the nationwide action aimed at more effective enforcement of traffic regulations and improved road safety. Under the slogan “warning before punishment”, traffic offenders initially received a caution for certain violations before a fine was issued through the digital Police Ticket Management (PTM) system.
How the PTM system handled warnings
A warning was only issued via the PTM system if the driver concerned was present on site and the offence could be handled immediately by the responsible officer. This was intended to ensure that the person concerned received the warning directly from the police and that the conversation could be used to promote reflection on their own misconduct.
Strict conditions and only one chance
Only drivers with no outstanding, unpaid traffic tickets recorded in the system benefited from the warning arrangement. Once a warning had been issued, every further violation, regardless of type or severity, was handled as usual with a regular ticket.
Zero tolerance for black smoke emissions
For vehicles emitting black smoke above legal limits, the leniency rule did not apply, and they were pursued without prior warning under existing law. Police stated that excessive black smoke emissions significantly contributed to fine dust levels and nationwide air pollution, which was considered particularly serious in light of currently very high pollution readings.
Police communication and public appeal
The Royal Thai Police coupled the action with an information campaign calling on the public to show more consideration and strictly observe traffic regulations.
“The goal is to sustainably increase the safety of human life and property through responsible driving and, in the long term, to establish a safer traffic culture,”
said the agency, referring to the objectives of the campaign.