The Department of Land Transport clarified concerns raised on social media about "puum puang" vehicles being driven inside the Government House. They confirmed the vehicles were used within a closed area for a specific promotional event and are drafting legislation to support "community economy vehicles," aiming to boost grassroots income alongside safety standards.
Mr. Thitiphat Thaichongrak, Director of the Vehicle Engineering Bureau and spokesperson for the Department of Land Transport, revealed that after images circulated showing "puum puang" type vehicles driven within the Government House grounds, legal concerns were raised. The Department of Land Transport explained that upon investigation, the activity was an event organized to launch a campaign promoting soft power in agricultural products, involving driving within a "closed area" or restricted zone inside the Government House, not on public roads with heavy traffic. Therefore, the event took place in a controlled environment, primarily serving symbolic communication purposes.
However, the Department acknowledges public concerns, especially about safety and the use of modified vehicles in daily life. Currently, many community-use vehicles like "puum puang," sidecar motorcycles, and various agricultural vehicles cannot be legally registered because their structures do not meet engineering standards set for regular automobiles. Yet these vehicles have long been integral to Thai communities and are essential to the grassroots economy, serving as common occupational tools in daily life.
The Department's spokesperson added that to sustainably resolve these issues, the Department has a policy to support community lifestyles alongside road safety. They are now drafting laws and regulations to accommodate groups of "community economy vehicles," such as "puum puang," sidecar motorcycles, and other community-typical vehicles, with key approaches including:
"The Department of Land Transport is committed to updating laws to reflect the living context of the people, aiming to enable citizens to sustainably use community economy vehicles for livelihoods under appropriate safety standards, thereby promoting happiness and quality of life throughout communities," the Department of Land Transport spokesperson concluded.
Read more about " Government Policy " here.