Poll: Thais agree with pick-up seating ban – but few will obey entirely

A public opinion poll has shown that Thais are generally in agreement with plans to prohibit sitting in the back of pick-ups.

But only 17% would obey the newly enforced regulations to the letter, reported Thai News Agency.

A Nida Poll found that some 83% of respondents broadly agreed with the new rules saying that would help to save lives.

But more than half of those felt there should be a consultative process and some adjustment to the regulations rather than an all out ban.

This might include limiting enforcement to certain roads and with a certain number allowed to be in the back or in the cab of pick-ups.

The poll showed that usage and ownership of pick-ups affected almost three quarters of the Thai population with two-door vehicles in the vast majority.

But many expressed confusion about the law, with 63% stating that they did not know that it had been illegal before to sit behind the driver in the cab of a two door pick-up.

The authorities have said it was always law and this is a storage space and any other use such as carrying passengers is and has always been illegal.

Only 17% of respondents said they would completely obey the new laws.

Thai Visa / Thai News Agency

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