A soldier inspects a passenger van in Bangkok to ensure it is equipped with sufficient seat belts and other safety equipment. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Operators of more than 15,000 passenger vans on fixed routes have been given until Tuesday to remove excess seats to meet a 13-seat limit, or face instant fines of 500 baht. As of March 20, a total of 42,806 passenger vans were registered with the department, said Mr Sanit. The total included 15,808 vans operating on fixed routes in Bangkok (9,843) and surrounding provinces (5,965 vehicles), 25,877 vans operating on non-fixed routes in Bangkok and surrounding provinces (5,581) and in other provinces (20,296), and 1,121 vans owned by individuals in Bangkok and surrounding provinces (294) and other provinces (827). Earlier, passenger van operators had threatened to stop their services if the government did not relax new rules aimed at improving public safety.

Source: Bangkok Post April 08, 2017 11:15 UTC