The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has stepped up enforcement measures against Chinese cross-border freight trucks found operating outside their authorised routes, warning that any future violations will result in immediate interception, orders to return to approved routes and legal action.
The agency is working with highway police and other authorities to prevent repeated violations and protect the interests of Thai transport operators, DLT director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said on Wednesday.
The crackdown follows reports that Chinese trucks, which are permitted to operate in Thailand under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Agreement, had deviated from their approved routes to collect fruit shipments in southern Thailand.
Officials from the Chumphon Provincial Land Transport Office joined police, customs, immigration, provincial commerce officials and local administrative authorities on Monday to inspect vehicles and verify permits for the purchase and transport of goods.
The operation also informed transport operators about regulations governing international freight transport under the GMS agreement, which covers Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Inspections were carried out at the Lertporn and Morakot markets and surrounding areas in Lang Suan district of Chumphon.
Mr Sorapong said the operation was intended as a proactive measure to intercept Chinese trucks attempting to travel beyond their authorised routes into southern Thailand.
Authorities later found five Chinese-registered container trucks parked in a parking area behind the Morakot Market, although no drivers were present.
Checks of the vehicles’ registration records showed that all five were licensed for international transport and had entered Thailand through the Chiang Khong customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai between June 29 and July 1. Their declared destinations were Bangkok and Chanthaburi.
The vehicles have been impounded while authorities investigate the buyers, sellers and other parties involved in arranging freight collection outside the authorised transport routes. Legal proceedings will follow if violations are confirmed.
The department warned that any Chinese truck found travelling outside its approved route will be stopped immediately and its transport documents inspected.
Drivers found violating the conditions of the GMS agreement will face legal penalties and fines, and will be ordered to return to one of the nine authorised transport corridors designated under the agreement. They will not be allowed to continue travelling to destinations outside those approved routes.
