The city cleanliness law has been in place for over 20 years but, as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) City Law Enforcement Department director Sophon Photisop noted, it has never been enforced seriously.

That is, until now. The BMA official said the city cleanliness law would now be strictly enforced and instruction had been given to police in all 50 districts of Bangkok to tighten enforcement of this law if there is a violation.

Other cities or countries around the world like Singapore and Japan similarly have a fine system in place for littering and/or spitting in public.

In Japan for example, noted the BMA's Sophon, spitting fluid or any substance from the mouth is a violation of law that can see the offender given a 30 day detention or a fine equivalent to between Bt300 and Bt3,000.

"The announcement that the Bt2,000 fine is now to be more strictly enforced throughout Bangkok is something everyone, residents and tourists alike, should be aware of. Abiding by this city rule is, of course, a sure way to avoid a possible fine but it also helps with the cleanliness and everyday functions of a metropolis with a population in the region of 10 million to 12 million people", said BSA Law spokesman Apisakdi Kongkangwanchoke.

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For over 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. BSA Law seeks to provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.

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