Phuket –
Police in Phuket swiftly apprehended a British and an Irish national after a viral social media post showed them performing reckless motorcycle stunts on a busy public road in Chalong, sparking outrage among local residents.
On Wednesday (March 25th), local Facebook news pages posted images of a foreign rider pulling wheelies along Chao Fa West Road in Chalong, describing the behavior as “like turning the street into a racetrack” and warning of the danger posed to other motorists. The post quickly gained attention, prompting immediate police action.
Pol. Col. Surasak Jaidee, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station told the Phuket Express. He ordered his traffic unit to investigate. Within three hours, officers identified the rider as a British national. He was seen performing wheelies opposite Lotus’s shopping mall and continuing the stunt along stretches of Chao Fa West Road, endangering himself and other road users.
Later that evening, police located two motorcycles matching the description, a Honda CRF 450R and a Yamaha MT07, parked outside a convenience store on Chao Fa West Road. The riders, identified only as Mr. Harry, a British national, and Mr. Brian, an Irish national, were found with the vehicles.
Neither man possessed a valid Thai motorcycle license, nor an international driving permit. Both admitted to performing the stunts captured in the viral footage. Officers seized the motorcycles and escorted the men to Chalong Police Station.
The pair now face charges of reckless driving endangering public safety and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Police confirmed the case has been forwarded to prosecutors for trial.
Authorities explained that such behavior not only violates Thai traffic laws but also poses serious risks to public safety. The swift response was praised by locals as a demonstration of law enforcement’s commitment to keeping Phuket’s roads safe for residents and tourists alike.
