Thai Examiner
New police chief wants officers who show their faces to the public and issue warnings instead of fines
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Key facts
- The 25 October directive also introduces graduated fines, checks on previous violations and tighter checkpoint controls
- Thailand cracks down on masked traffic police eight years after the ‘ninja police’ controversy
- Nationwide police order bans balaclavas and requires traffic officers to reveal their faces to motorists
- Police chief’s October orders target concealed faces, roadside checkpoints and automatic traffic fines
- Motorcycle escorts retain face-covering exemptions as police introduce warnings for minor traffic offences
- Traffic police ordered to check previous warnings before fines as dangerous driving remains an exception
Summary
### Thailand cracks down on masked traffic police eight years after the ‘ninja police’ controversy. Officers must reveal their faces, warn minor offenders before issuing fines and stop demanding roadside payments. Meanwhile, dangerous drivers face direct action.
Thailand’s police chief has ordered traffic officers nationwide to uncover their faces, banning balaclavas under a sweeping crackdown on roadside enforcement. National Police Commissioner General Samran Nuanma has also ordered warnings before fines for minor offences and tougher restrictions on roadside payments. Officers must remove masks and sunglasses when checking motorists, while police commanders face strict supervision orders.
Thailand’s traffic police have been ordered to uncover their faces under a nationwide crackdown on roadside enforcement practices. Officers can no longer wear balaclavas or other coverings that conceal their identities from motorists.