Thailand To Enforce Mandatory Child Car Seats From September

BANGKOK, May 9 (Bernama) -- To ensure little passengers are safe while traveling on the road, Thailand will enforce the use of child car seats in private vehicles effective Sept 5 this year. The amendment to the Land Traffic Act stipulates that children under six years old must use a child car seat or booster cushion to prevent injuries. The amended law allows the use of seat cushion or booster cushion priced between 600 to 700 baht compared with child car seats which is more than 10,000 baht each. Beside that, Thailand to impose compulsory use of seat belts for driver and all front and rear passengers or face maximum fine of 2,000 baht. However, driver and passengers with health-related reasons are exempted from seat belts, but they must use alternative measures to prevent injuries in case of accident. The same goes to children with health related reasons. The amendment was published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect on September 5. Meanwhile, Chairman of the World Health Organization's Asia-Pacific Regional Network on Road Safety Nikorn Chamnog said the booster cushion would raise the child’s seating position so the car’s seat belt fits them properly. He urged the authorities to spread awareness and guidance on the child safety seats. Nikorn said Thailand studied the mandatory introduction of car seats in Malaysia and the Philippines. “The early phases of implementation could be difficult due to high price of child car seats. However, it will take some time to adjust,” he said. He also urged the government to lower the import tax for child car seats and promote their local production. -- BERNAMA