Phuket, Thailand – On March 11, 2025, a Nigerian national who had overstayed his visa was arrested following a high-profile incident involving reckless driving. The arrest came after a video of a sedan “drifting” dangerously through the streets of Koh Kaew and Wichit in Phuket went viral on social media, prompting swift action from local authorities.
According to the Phuket City Police, who spoke to The Phuket Express, the video showed the sedan being driven recklessly near the Bang Khu Intersection. After the footage surfaced, police reviewed CCTV recordings from the area, timestamped at 9:58 P.M. on March 11, to identify the vehicle and its driver.
The Thalang Traffic Police quickly launched a pursuit after spotting the sedan. The driver, operating at high speed, attempted to evade capture, leading officers on a chase toward the Darasamut Intersection, where the vehicle briefly disappeared from sight. Upon spotting the traffic police, the driver accelerated in an effort to escape.
The chase continued until the sedan entered a dead-end soi (a small side street), where the vehicle could no longer proceed. At that point, the driver and his passenger abandoned the car and attempted to flee on foot. Police apprehended both individuals, though they resisted arrest during the encounter.
One of the suspects was identified as Mr. Anamere, a Nigerian national. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that he had overstayed his visa and was in possession of cocaine, an illegal substance in Thailand, adding drug-related charges to his offenses. The second individual, a passenger in the sedan, was found to be carrying a valid passport, though further details about his identity or involvement have not been disclosed.
The incident has drawn significant attention due to the viral video and highlights ongoing efforts by Phuket police to address reckless driving and immigration violations in the region. As of March 13, 2025, the case remains under investigation.
