Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has ordered the Department of Highways to return the 10-fold fines it collected from motorists who failed to pay the new M-Flow tolls, and to delay imposing the hefty fines until March 31.
The decision follows an outpouring of complaints on social media about the hefty fines.
A consumer rights watchdog has urged the government to review the huge fines imposed on motorists who fail to pay missed tolls under the new barrier-free M-Flow toll system within two days.
Many motorists said they were not aware they were liable to a fine 10 times the actual toll if they failed to pay within two days.
The Highways Department on Thursday issued a statement saying the transport minister was aware of the impact of the huge fine.
It applies to motorists who fail to pay when they use the new barrier-free M-Flow lanes at tollgates at Thanaburi and Thap Chang on Motorway No 9 (Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli ring road), starting from Feb 15.
Mr Saksayam ordered the department take the following steps:
- To delay collection of the 10-fold fine imposed on motorists who have not yet registered for the new M-Flow system but used the lanes over the past week. Imposition of fines is delayed until March 31;
- To return the fines of all motorists who have paid the fines; and
- Tackle problems that caused inconvenience to motorists and launch an awarness campaign on how to use of the M-Flow system.
The department urged motorists to register for the M-Flow system via LINE OA via @mflowthai. For further details, people can phone its call centre 1586.
On the M-Flow Facebook page, a chart posted six days ago shows the different fines to be imposed on motorists who registered with M-flow and those who were not registered. M-Flow members and non-members have to pay the missed the 30-baht toll within 2 days. If they fail to do so within two days but no more than 12 days, members pay 30 baht plus a 60 baht fine, totalling 90 baht, while non-members pay 30 baht plus a 300 baht fine, totalling 330 baht.
The fines are higher for those who fail to pay the fine after 12 days or more - members must pay 590 baht in total and non-members 5,530 baht.
The page urges motorists to register for M-Flow membership.
M-Flow Facebook page shows the rates of fines to be imposed on motorists who register for membership and those who do not register.
