A "twist-lock" system for the manual fastening of containers will become mandatory starting next September, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced on Wednesday.
The department's chief Sanith Phromwong said the new system has been introduced following recent accidents involving containers falling onto vehicles on roads.
In late May, a cargo container carrying 46 tonnes of soybeans toppled off an 18-wheeler truck and crushed a man's Toyota Fortuner, flattening the vehicle while he was still inside.
Though he survived the ordeal, surveillance footage revealed the container was loosely fastened to the lorry in question. Loose fastening is an industry norm, according to observers.
Mr Sanith said on Wednesday the "twist-lock" system will be mandatory for all lorries which use a manual container-fastening system.
DLT reports state the regulation involves each lorry having to be equipped with at least four container fasteners, which use a twisting system for loosening and tightening.
Bright yellow or white and red colour signs must be attached to each fastener to show when it is twisted so it can be seen clearly whether it is locked or unlocked, according to the regulation.
However, lorries which use automated fastening systems will not be required to install the manual twist-lock systems, according to the DLT.
Mr Sanith said truck-owners who fail to comply with the changes will be fined a maximum of 50,000 baht for insufficient equipment and a maximum of 5,000 baht for not using equipment according to the law, under the Land Transport Act.
"We will be giving [logistics operators and other truck owners] around one year to make the necessary changes, since the current laws state that containers must be fastened but don't specify a fixed type of fastening system," Mr Sanith said.
"With a clear, colour-coded system, inspectors and even motorists will be able to spot an unfastened container on the roads themselves, and submit a complaint to the DLT," the department chief said.
The department's reports say 28,180 container trucks are legally registered with it.
Sirirat Veeravisan, the director of the DLT's Freight Bureau, said on Wednesday it is common practice among lorry drivers not to securely fasten containers too tightly.
"In cases where a truck veers off track, drivers are normally convinced that not fastening the containers will result in only the cargo tipping over, while they [the drivers] will remain safe," she said.
