The Tourist Police Commissioner Tackles Motorcycle Rental Issues in Tourist Areas.

On May 20, 2024, at the meeting room of the Phuket Provincial Police, Pol.Lt.Gen. Saksira Pheuak-um, the Tourist Police Commissioner, along with Pol.Maj.Gen. Phopphon Chakkaphak, Commander of Tourist Police Division 3, Pol.Maj.Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, Phuket Provincial Police Commander, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Land Transportation, the Vice Chairman of Phuket Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Office of Phuket Provincial Commercial Affairs, and rental shop operators and tour companies in Phuket, participated in a meeting to address the issues of motorcycle rentals in tourist areas. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Phonpoom Vipattipumiprates, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports, via video conference.

The Tourist Police Commissioner stated that according to the policy of Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Pol.Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, Acting Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, to resolve rental vehicle issues, the Tourist Police Bureau has outlined the following measures:

1.Rental shop operators are to rent vehicles only to those who have a valid driver's license.

2.In the absence of a valid driver's license, insurance coverage cannot be provided.

3.It is proposed that the Department of Land Transportation support the budget to train rental shop operators on proper business operations.

Currently, Phuket has experienced 574 road accidents (involving motorcycles). The Phuket Provincial Police have been continuously apprehending motorcycle riders without a license to prevent road accidents. In April alone, 1,794 violators were arrested