Thailand Revokes 87 Vehicle Inspection Center Licenses Over False Certificates

Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) has revoked the licenses of 87 vehicle inspection centers nationwide for violations including issuing inspection certificates without actually checking vehicles. Thitiphat Thaijongrak, director of the Automotive Engineering Division and DLT spokesman, said three vehicle inspection centers in Nonthaburi were found to have committed fraud or deliberately issued inspection certificates that did not match the actual condition of vehicles during July and August. The centers were also found to have issued certificates without conducting physical inspections. The DLT has revoked the operating licenses of all three centers and cancelled the identification cards of seven vehicle inspection controllers found to have been involved. The Nonthaburi Provincial Transport Office has been instructed to file complaints and take legal action against all parties involved. Those whose licenses were revoked face criminal proceedings under Sections 76 and 158 of the Land Transport Act B.E. 2522. The offences carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht. Operators whose licenses have been revoked will also be barred from applying for a new vehicle inspection center license for five years, while those whose inspection controller identification cards have been cancelled will be unable to apply for new cards for three years. Thitiphat said the DLT has instructed provincial transport offices nationwide to increase oversight of vehicle inspection centers by conducting random checks of inspection records in the information system and inspecting centers at their registered locations. Officials will also continue holding both onsite and online briefings for operators to reinforce legal requirements, regulations and operating conditions. The DLT said legal action would be taken against centers found violating the rules. Thitiphat stressed that proper vehicle inspections are essential to public safety and that every inspection center must operate correctly and transparently. Centers are prohibited from issuing inspection certificates without physically examining vehicles or issuing false inspection results. Members of the public who encounter inspection centers conducting inadequate inspections, issuing false certificates or violating regulations can report the matter to the DLT hotline at 1584.