The Department of Land Transport faced a court ruling after denying a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines.
Published: 20 Dec 2024 at 20:11
A Central Administrative Court recently ruled in favor of a driver challenging the Department of Land Transport’s (DLT) refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines.
The court mandated the DLT to provide the tax sticker to the plaintiff, Amnat Kaewprasong, who brought the case against the department, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the Royal Thai Police.
In his lawsuit, Mr. Amnat argued that the failure to issue the tax sticker after his annual tax payment fell under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court due to alleged negligence by government officials.
He contended that after paying his annual vehicle tax, he only received a stamped receipt valid for 30 days, while the DLT issued a document listing traffic violations requiring payment prior to sticker issuance.
The DLT defended its position, citing a data-sharing agreement with the police aimed at targeting non-compliant drivers. They claimed that vehicle tax renewal could be postponed for those who have outstanding fines.
However, the plaintiff argued this policy was unlawful, denying motorists the chance to contest fines that can be issued without warrant or court verification.
The court found the DLT’s agreement to be negligent and in violation of the Land Traffic Act. Consequently, it ruled that the DLT lacked the authority to withhold the sticker from Mr. Amnat.
The court ruled that denying the tax sticker infringed upon the complainant’s rights, clarifying that tax payments pertain to the vehicle, while fines are linked to the driver. The ruling stated that intertwining these two matters was unjust and detrimental to drivers.
The DLT was ordered to issue the tax sticker within three days and provide the plaintiff with compensation of 3,151.50 baht, plus interest. Complaints against the other defendants were dismissed.
Earlier in October, the Central Administrative Court deemed two police announcements that allowed for predetermined traffic fines unconstitutional, potentially invalidating millions of traffic tickets issued since 2020.
