Yield way to ambulances or be fined
Police have fined a Bangkok pickup driver Bt500 for failing to make way for an ambulance last month, confirming that the same fate awaits any motorist who doesn't yield the right of way to emergency vehicles.
The action had caused a stir after video of the incident circulated on social media.
The driver has apologised and paid the fine, but lost his job when the incident became public.
Bang Khun Thien Police Station deputy superintendent for traffic Pol Lt Colonel Pawat Wattanasupat said the citation issued on August 17 subjected the pickup driver to a Bt500 fine.
He pointed out that the law has been in place for some time and motorists should be aware of it.
Pawat said someone recorded video of the truck driver failing to get out of an ambulance's way on Kanchanapisek Road.
Police determined that the offender was a delivery driver for a private firm and issuedd him the ticket.
Pawat said the driver claimed he had music playing loudly in his truck cab and couldn't hear the ambulance's siren and horn blasts.