SAMUT SONGKHRAM, Thailand – More than 150 truck operators gathered along Rama II Road on Sunday, Jan 18, to protest regulations governing driving hours, calling for the law to be suspended or repealed.
The protesters assembled at a petrol station near Kilometer 79 in Amphawa district, parking their trucks in a long line and displaying protest signs demanding changes to the regulations. The operators said the law, which limits continuous driving to four hours followed by a mandatory 30-minute rest and caps total driving time at 8–10 hours within a 24-hour period, has caused significant hardship.
Protest leaders said the rules allow drivers to work only about 10 hours per day while requiring them to rest for more than 14 hours, which they argue does not reflect real-world logistics operations. They warned that the restrictions could unintentionally encourage speeding as drivers rush to meet schedules.
The group called on authorities to review the law, allow more flexible management of driving hours within a 24-hour period, or consider applying different rules for different vehicle categories. A formal petition was scheduled to be submitted to a representative of the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport later in the day. (TNA)
