No, eating while driving in Thailand is prohibited under the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and its 2022 amendments, which classify it as a distracted driving offense. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) enforces this under Section 43(2), citing increased accident risks. Fines range from 1,000–5,000 THB, with potential license suspension for repeat violations.
Key Regulations for Eating While Driving in Thailand
- Distracted Driving Prohibition: The Land Traffic Act explicitly bans actions diverting attention from driving, including eating (Section 43(2)). The 2022 amendment expanded this to include handheld food consumption.
- Royal Thai Police Enforcement: Traffic officers issue citations based on observable impairment or erratic driving patterns. Dashcam footage may be used as evidence under Traffic Police Order No. 11/2565.
- Penalties and Liability: Violators face fines up to 5,000 THB (2023 update) and 3 demerit points. Commercial drivers (e.g., truck/taxi operators) risk license revocation under Ministry of Transport Directive 2024.
Local jurisdictions (e.g., Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) may impose stricter local ordinances. The 2026 National Road Safety Master Plan targets distracted driving as a priority, with AI traffic cameras in pilot cities (e.g., Phuket, Chiang Mai) to detect violations.