Have you ever wondered why accessible parking spots get violated so often? Because when there are no serious penalties, people think “just parking for a minute” isn’t a big deal. But in many countries around the world, parking in an accessible spot without the right to do so hits your wallet hard. Let’s look at the 5 countries with the strictest penalties.
Number 5: New Zealand — $750 NZD fine (about 16,000 THB) for using someone else’s mobility parking permit or parking without a permit. The fine recently went up, showing the government is serious.
Number 4: France — €600 fine (about 23,500 THB) for parking in an accessible parking space (stationnement sur place handicapé) without authorization. The law is clear and consistently enforced.
Number 3: Australia (Victoria) — $1,600 AUD fine (about 38,000 THB). This is the highest state-level fine in Australia. Victoria takes accessible parking rights violations very seriously.
Number 2: United Kingdom — £1,000 fine (about 45,000 THB) for misusing a Blue Badge (accessible parking permit). This is treated as a criminal offense, not just an administrative fine.
Number 1: Cyprus — Up to €1,708 fine (about 67,000 THB) and up to 1 year in prison. The law was updated in 2024, raising the fine from €300 to €500 for a first offense, and up to €1,708. This is the strictest measure in the world right now.
And what about Thailand? Currently, Thai law requires accessible parking spots, but penalties for violators are unclear and not seriously enforced. The Senate is discussing legal amendments, but in the meantime, people with disabilities face violations every day. We’ve seen cases at Suvarnabhumi Airport and many other places.
These countries show that when the law is serious, society can change. The question is, when will Thailand get serious too?
Sources: ablebook.com.cy, GOV.UK, legalaid.vic.gov.au