A British man has been charged after police identified him as the driver involved in a viral Phuket road incident in which his nine-year-old son was allowed to steer a car on a busy public road.
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The development follows widespread online criticism after footage emerged showing what appeared to be a young foreign child driving a vehicle along Chao Fa West Road in Phuket. The video, recorded near My Front Yard Community Mall in Muang district, showed the car swerving from side to side and braking abruptly, raising concerns about the safety of other road users.
According to police, the boy was sitting on his father’s lap and steering the vehicle while it was travelling on the public road. The footage was captured by a concerned passerby, who later reported the incident to authorities.
Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, superintendent of Vichit Police Station, ordered investigators to locate the foreign man seen in the video. Following an investigation, officers tracked down the suspect, identified as Mark Grant, a British national, at his residence in Chalong subdistrict, Muang district.
Police also located and seized the Honda City shown in the footage. During questioning, Grant admitted he was the driver seen in the video and acknowledged that he had allowed his son to operate the vehicle.
The case has now been transferred to investigators at Vichit Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said the actions captured in the video created a potential danger to other motorists and road users due to the vehicle’s erratic movement.
Grant is facing multiple charges, including reckless driving that endangers public safety, permitting an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle, and encouraging or allowing a child to engage in inappropriate behaviour that could negatively affect the child’s conduct.
The charges have been filed under the Land Traffic Act, the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979), and the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003).
The Bangkokpost reported that the incident sparked strong reaction on social media, with many users questioning the judgement of the parent and calling for authorities to take action. The latest police announcement confirms that investigators have identified the individuals involved and commenced legal proceedings.
Pictures courtesy of Bangkokpost
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 12 June 2026