On December 16, 2024, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor, Deputy Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, relayed concerns from Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, about vehicle decorations that may endanger road users. Recent trends and holiday-themed modifications, such as reindeer antlers or multi-colored lights, have been flagged as potential hazards.
The Royal Thai Police emphasized that such decorations can obstruct visibility, detach during transit, or confuse other drivers by obscuring standard vehicle lighting signals. These acts violate the Motor Vehicle Act of 1979 (Sections 12 and 60) and carry a penalty of up to 2,000 baht.
If these modifications result in accidents causing injuries or fatalities, drivers may face additional charges for negligence leading to harm or loss of life.
The public is encouraged to report unsafe vehicle decorations by capturing evidence and contacting hotlines:
- Emergency Hotline: 191
- Traffic Police Hotline: 1197
- Highway Police Hotline: 1193
These services are available 24/7.