Pol Gen Aswin hopes to put an end to long-standing problem of motorcyclists riding on footpaths

A motorcyclist is seen here illegally using a pavement. Pornprom Satrabhaya

Chaiyan Techasean feels unsafe when motorcyclists are riding on the pavement -- which are supposed to be vehicle-free -- where he walks or waits for the bus.

However, with little will to confront or stop them, he took to posting messages and pictures on a Facebook page named, "We are Thais who do not want street vendors", urging people to voice their concerns about pavement infringement.

The fanpage has attracted over 20,000 likes from like-minded people, who regularly share photos of various forms of pavement misuse, from motorcyclists to street vendors.

One post reads: "Poverty is not an excuse for breaking regulations, messing up public areas, and taking advantage of pedestrians."

Another says: "A failed policy has resulted from authorities who have failed to enforce their own regulations."

Many blame motorcyclists who ride on pavements for damaging them as they weren't designed for heavy vehicles to run on.

However, city residents should embrace a new policy made by the recently appointed Bangkok governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, who last month announced to keep all motorcyclists and street vendors from encroaching on public spaces designated for pedestrians.

There is no excuse for anyone to misuse pavements, he said.

Those who violate the law must face a penalty, he said, adding he will take serious action against pavement violators.

The use of pavements by motorcyclists is a long-standing problem in Bangkok that has upset pedestrians, but the problem has never been solved effectively even though former governors have promised to do so.

"This time, we will take the issue seriously because driving on pavements is illegal. We know that it's not easy for authorities to deal with cunning drivers. When authorities warn them not to break the rules, they react angrily," Pol Gen Aswin said.

He added that when one city inspector tried to catch one, he quickly skipped from the pavement to a road to avoid being caught.

Under the Maintaining Cleanliness and Tidiness of the City Act 1992, people on motorcycles are not allowed to use the pavements, which are reserved for pedestrians.

Police are responsible for enforcing road rules and city inspectors oversee pavement enforcement.

In his declaration, the governor ordered city inspectors and police to work together to crack down on riders who fail to follow regulations.

Meanwhile, on Dec 8, heads of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were called for a meeting chaired by Pol Gen Aswin, to discuss obstruction of pavements and find ways of dealing with the problem.

At the meeting, Deputy Director of City Law Enforcement Department (CLED) Sajja Kontong reported that people had lodged complaints with authorities against people who obstruct pavements and prevent them from commuting freely.

He said city law enforcement officers responded to the complaints and caught 9,514 motorcyclists who violated pavement rules, fining them a total of over seven million baht.

Mr Sajja has told his subordinates to closely monitor people on motorcycles to ensure that they do not ride on pavements and park their vehicles on them.

Under Section 17, people are not permitted to park or drive a car or ride a motorcycle or use a wheeled-vehicle on pavements except when they intend to enter a building or in areas where they are permitted to do so.

Under Section 45, if there is a violation and authorities are not able to spot offenders, local authorities are permitted to work together to take necessary actions and stop people from illegally using public areas. Violators could face a fine of up to 5,000 baht.

A city inspector confiscated motorcycles illegally parked on pavements. Taweechai Tawatpakorn

The CLED has asked for cooperation from all district heads to ensure regulations are strictly enforced in their jurisdiction.

He urged the heads of districts to dispatch teams of local officials to carry out inspections of driving behaviour in areas and publicise facts associated with the pavement regulations.

City inspectors on duty have the authority to move vehicles or objects they find parked or kept illegally on the pavement, without an owner present, and keep them at the district office, Mr Sajja said.

He urged officials to alert local police and record offences.

If violators fail to report to authorities they will be fined within 15 days; while authorities are allowed to take further legal action against them.

Deputy Bangkok governor Amnuay Nimmano, who also oversees the CLED, said he will order the department to set up a working team including representatives from the Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation to deal with pavement obstruction problems.

He urged authorities to work harder in making people aware of the consequences of illegally parking their vehicles on the pavements, saying they should make an announcement on the regulations through different channels.

Officials found not to be effectively handling the problem may be removed or transferred from their posts, he warned, saying the committee will be responsible for considering whether to shunt officials who are incompetent in handling violators and finding new ones to replace them.

A BMA official who did not wish to be named said pavements most often used by motorcycle riders are on Sukhumvit Road followed by Rama IV, New Phetchaburi Road, Phahon Yothin Road, Ratchadaphisek Road and Charan Sanitwong Road.

A motorcycle taxi driver who wished to remain anonymous admitted that he sometimes used pavements during periods of heavy traffic, such as rush hours, to ensure his customers receive a speedy service. He said some customers ask to use pavements instead of the road because they are in a hurry.

He vowed to follow pavement regulations if the authorities strictly enforce them.

A source at the CLED, said collaborative efforts by BMA officials, police officers and the military are needed to make the project successful, and urged the military to take action against influential figures behind the chronic problem.

The same source also raised the issue of a shortage of city inspectors, of which there are only about 3,000 citywide.

This has made it impossible for City Hall to solve the problem in the past several years, the source said.

With support from the military regime, the source said, Pol Gen Aswin will hopefully adopt strong measures to stop violations so pavements are pedestrian-only.