Thailand cracks down on masked traffic police eight years after the ‘ninja police’ controversy. Officers must reveal their faces, warn minor offenders before issuing fines and stop demanding roadside payments. Meanwhile, dangerous drivers face direct action.
Thailand’s police chief has ordered traffic officers nationwide to uncover their faces, banning balaclavas under a sweeping crackdown on roadside enforcement. National Police Commissioner General Samran Nuanma has also ordered warnings before fines for minor offences and tougher restrictions on roadside payments. Officers must remove masks and sunglasses when checking motorists, while police commanders face strict supervision orders. The 25 October directive also introduces graduated fines, checks on previous violations and tighter checkpoint controls. However, dangerous driving remains subject to immediate penalties. Significantly, the crackdown revives a ban first imposed eight years ago against officers dubbed “ninja police”, raising fresh questions about why the original restrictions failed.
Thailand’s traffic police have been ordered to uncover their faces under a nationwide crackdown on roadside enforcement practices. Officers can no longer wear balaclavas or other coverings that conceal their identities from motorists.
The order follows direct instructions from National Police Commissioner General Samran Nuanma. Meanwhile, police must prioritise warnings over fines for minor offences and stop pressuring motorists for roadside payments.
The sweeping directive also tightens checkpoint supervision, introduces graduated penalties and requires checks on previous traffic violations. Significantly, it revives restrictions first imposed eight years ago, when officers wearing balaclavas became known as “ninja police”.
Nationwide police order bans balaclavas and requires traffic officers to reveal their faces to motorists
The written directive was issued on Sunday, 25 October, by Police Lieutenant General Nithithorn Chintakanont. He is Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and deputy director of its Traffic Management Centre.
The order was circulated to Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 1–9 and other relevant agencies. As a result, traffic officers across Thailand must comply with the new identification and enforcement requirements.
Under the instructions, officers must wear their uniforms correctly and remain recognisable while performing their duties. Balaclavas, full-face hoods and other coverings that conceal their identities are prohibited.
Likewise, officers cannot pull neck coverings over their faces when dealing with motorists. The restrictions extend to any equipment that prevents members of the public from identifying officers during ordinary traffic enforcement.
However, ordinary surgical masks and sunglasses remain permitted for protection against pollution, dust and sunlight. Officers may continue wearing them while carrying out their duties. Nevertheless, both must be temporarily removed when checking traffic violations or issuing tickets.
This requirement allows motorists to see the faces of officers exercising police powers. The Royal Thai Police says the measure is intended to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
Police chief’s October orders target concealed faces, roadside checkpoints and automatic traffic fines
The order follows an earlier announcement by General Samran on 9 October. During a meeting at a Royal Thai Police training and welfare facility, he addressed traffic enforcement and officers’ appearance.
In particular, the national police chief instructed officers to stop wearing balaclavas while dealing with the public. Instead, officers concerned about pollution could wear white surgical masks.
General Samran also ordered changes to roadside checkpoint operations. He instructed police to suspend checkpoints where excessively hot weather made their operation inappropriate. Furthermore, every checkpoint must have a clear operational purpose and an identifiable supervising officer.
The police chief also directed officers to demonstrate sincerity when dealing with motorists. His instructions placed greater emphasis on assistance and warnings rather than automatically imposing fines.
The policy was subsequently reinforced by a police spokesman on 17 October. Eight days later, the national police leadership issued its formal written directive. Consequently, the instructions were communicated throughout the metropolitan and provincial police command structure. Unit commanders were ordered to supervise compliance with uniform regulations and the new roadside enforcement procedures.
Motorcycle escorts retain face-covering exemptions as police introduce warnings for minor traffic offences
The face-covering restrictions contain exemptions for specialist police operations. Officers attached to the Royal Initiative traffic police programme may continue wearing protective equipment when necessary. Similarly, police officers performing official escort duties may use face coverings for operational safety.
These officers sometimes travel at considerable speeds on motorcycles, particularly along expressways. Police explained that strong wind pressure during high-speed riding can create safety risks.
Accordingly, protective face coverings remain permitted where specialist motorcycle duties require them. The exemptions do not generally extend to officers conducting ordinary roadside traffic enforcement.
Officers stopping vehicles, checking violations or issuing tickets must remain identifiable. Even when surgical masks are permitted, they must be removed during enforcement encounters. Sunglasses must also be temporarily removed so motorists can clearly identify the officers involved.
In parallel, the nationwide directive introduces a warning-first approach to minor traffic offences. Officers have been told to exercise discretion before imposing financial penalties. First-time offenders should generally receive warnings where the circumstances justify that response.
Police must also explain the relevant traffic regulations rather than automatically issuing tickets. The instructions therefore distinguish minor infringements from offences involving dangerous driving.
Traffic police ordered to check previous warnings before fines as dangerous driving remains an exception
The Royal Thai Police has introduced an additional requirement before citations are issued. Officers must consult the Police Ticket Management system, known as PTM. The system allows police to examine motorists’ previous warning records.
Consequently, officers can establish whether a driver has already received warnings for traffic violations. This information must be considered when deciding whether a fine is appropriate.
For repeat offenders, the directive provides for progressively higher penalties. Police describe the approach as graduated fines. The amount should reflect the nature and circumstances of the offence. Additionally, officers must consider previous warnings and the seriousness of the violation. The instructions require an appropriate response rather than automatic financial penalties for every minor breach.
The warning-first approach does not remove police authority to issue traffic citations. Officers may still impose fines where the circumstances justify enforcement. However, minor first-time violations should generally be handled through warnings and explanations. Repeat breaches can attract higher penalties under the graduated system. Serious offences remain subject to direct enforcement.
Notably, four categories of dangerous driving are specifically excluded from the warning-first policy. Driving against the flow of traffic and running red lights remain subject to immediate enforcement.
Drink-driving and racing on public roads are also excluded. Police identified these offences as behaviours capable of causing serious road accidents. Therefore, officers do not have to issue warnings before taking action against motorists committing these violations.
Roadside payment demands banned as officers must explain motorists’ rights and lawful fine procedures
On another front, the directive imposes explicit restrictions on the collection of roadside traffic fines. Officers are prohibited from coercing motorists into making immediate payments at checkpoints.
They must not threaten drivers or impose conditions requiring fines to be settled on the spot. Instead, officers must explain the lawful procedures for paying penalties, including the available authorised channels.
Motorists must also be informed about their rights and applicable payment deadlines. Furthermore, officers must explain the correct procedures for settling legitimate traffic citations. The instructions expressly prohibit police from soliciting or accepting money or other unlawful benefits. These restrictions apply alongside the requirements governing identification, checkpoint supervision and the issuing of fines.
The payment provisions do not prevent officers from issuing legitimate penalties. However, drivers cannot be pressured into immediate roadside settlements. Police must provide the correct legal information and follow the prescribed procedures. Similarly, officers cannot demand money or other benefits outside the lawful enforcement process. The restrictions form a central part of the nationwide instructions issued on 25 October.
Police commanders face renewed supervision orders eight years after the original ban on ‘ninja police’
Police commanders have been ordered to supervise compliance with the new requirements. The directive places responsibility on unit commanders throughout the national police structure. They must ensure officers wear the prescribed uniforms and remain identifiable during ordinary enforcement duties. Moreover, commanders must oversee the warning-first policy, graduated fines and restrictions on roadside payments.
The latest order follows an earlier controversy over Thai police officers concealing their faces. In August 2018, police authorities issued instructions against balaclavas among officers performing patrol and traffic duties. Officers were told to stop covering their faces while exercising police powers. At the time, some officers wearing balaclavas were described as “ninja police”.
The earlier restrictions were intended to ensure officers remained recognisable while dealing with the public. Yet the same practice has again become the subject of a nationwide directive. Eight years later, police leaders have returned to the requirement for officers to uncover their faces. The October instructions repeat that restriction while adding detailed rules governing traffic enforcement.
The latest official announcement does not explain why the earlier restrictions failed to eliminate the practice. Nor does it provide figures showing how many officers continued wearing balaclavas. No particular police units are identified as responsible for disregarding the previous instructions. Separately, the directive does not specify a new disciplinary penalty for officers who continue concealing their identities.
National police leadership tightens traffic enforcement rules following three October announcements
Instead, the Royal Thai Police has instructed commanders to supervise their personnel strictly. The order places responsibility on police management to ensure the requirements are followed.
This includes compliance with uniform regulations, checkpoint procedures and the handling of traffic offences. Commanders must also ensure officers observe the restrictions on unlawful roadside payments.
The current measures extend considerably beyond the earlier restrictions on officers’ appearance. They combine identification requirements with detailed instructions governing traffic stops, warnings and fines. Officers must remain recognisable, check previous warning records and follow the graduated penalty system. At the same time, they must explain motorists’ rights and the authorised procedures for paying fines.
The sequence began on 9 October, when General Samran announced his instructions on police appearance and roadside enforcement. His directions also addressed checkpoints, extreme heat and the treatment of motorists.
Subsequently, the policy was reinforced by a police spokesman on 17 October. The written directive issued on 25 October then communicated the requirements nationwide.
Royal Thai Police sets nationwide identification rules while retaining exemptions and graduated penalties
The Royal Thai Police has presented the measures as an effort to improve transparency and public confidence. They also establish common procedures for ordinary traffic enforcement.
Officers must wear their uniforms correctly, remain identifiable and follow the prescribed rules. Meanwhile, unit commanders must ensure their personnel comply with the national police leadership’s instructions.
Under the directive, ordinary traffic officers cannot conceal their faces behind balaclavas or similar coverings. Surgical masks and sunglasses remain permitted for environmental protection, subject to temporary removal during enforcement encounters. Specialist motorcycle escorts retain exemptions where protective equipment is necessary for safety. Otherwise, officers must show their faces when checking violations or issuing tickets.
For minor traffic offences, the instructions require warnings before fines where appropriate. Officers must consult the PTM system to examine previous warnings. Repeat offenders may face graduated penalties, depending on the circumstances. By contrast, dangerous driving, red-light violations, drink-driving and street racing remain outside the warning-first arrangements.
Roadside payment restrictions and nationwide supervision complete the new traffic police directive
The restrictions on roadside payments are equally explicit. Officers cannot force, threaten or pressure motorists into paying fines immediately at checkpoints. They must explain the correct legal procedures, payment deadlines and authorised channels. In addition, demands for unlawful money or other benefits are strictly prohibited.
The nationwide order covers Bangkok and Thailand’s nine provincial police regions, alongside other relevant agencies. Consequently, the instructions apply across the country’s traffic enforcement structure.
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Police commanders must supervise compliance with the identification rules and the procedures governing warnings, fines and roadside payments.
The Royal Thai Police has therefore revived restrictions first imposed in 2018, alongside a wider enforcement directive. The latest instructions cover concealed faces, checkpoint supervision, traffic penalties and unlawful payment demands.
Officers conducting ordinary traffic enforcement must show their faces and follow the prescribed procedures. Their commanders have been ordered to ensure the requirements are enforced throughout Thailand.
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