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Russian Rider Damages Rental Motor Bike in Phuket

A video capturing a Russian motorcyclist damaging a rental bike while off-road riding in Phuket has sparked criticism online. The footage, shared by the Phuket Times on May 11, shows the man attempting and failing to climb a steep hill on a rented Yamaha NMAX. The vehicle, not meant for off-road use, sustained visible damage after falling down a slope.

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The incident occurred with several foreign riders present, and another individual was seen trying to help the motorcyclist push the bike uphill unsuccessfully. Criticism arose as the video circulated, highlighting the reckless use of rented property and the potential impacts on local businesses. Many on Thai social media viewed the actions as damaging and irresponsible.

Social media users questioned whether the rider would compensate the rental company, speculating about the potential for the bike to be abandoned. Concerns also arose due to reports that rental businesses in tourist areas may not retain tourists' passports, complicating liability issues. Calls were made for police to investigate the incident, though no official actions have been announced.

Looking Ahead, authorities may begin investigations into the event, seeking to identify the rider and address any legal ramifications. The situation also highlights a broader issue regarding tourist accountability in vehicle rentals, with possible implications for future rental policies.

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image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 11 May 2026

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unblocktheplanet Diamond Member

unblocktheplanet

Advanced Member

Weird, eh. Can you imagine a headline, "German tourist crashes bike in Colorado." Or, "French tourist crashes bike in Kent."

johng Star Member

johng

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

He is Russian so how dose he have a valid credit card when the world has stopped Russian using the international banking system.

Don't believe anything the MSM

tells you about Russia (or much else)

They have access to banking systems and even washing machines!

Feingeist Senior Member

Feingeist

Member
20 hours ago, OldHand2541 said:

He will have to pay. A lot. This incident made Thai TV News this evening.

One more reason for Thai police, to continue hunt down bad behaving foreigners.

👍

Yeah, that’s going to be expensive. A colleague of mine had the same pleasure. It was a road bike, though. He slid out in a corner and ended up with a small crack in the left-hand fairing. The rental guy charged him 60,000 Baht, claiming he had to order the original parts from Japan—which was obviously a lie. Usually, the locals just fix that sort of thing with fibreglass and resin. The Russian guy is in for a nasty surprise.

Keeenok Powell Silver Member

Keeenok Powell

Advanced Member

Arab,the worst of the worst tourists.

They hate and disrespect all other cultures .

rocketboy2 Gold Member

rocketboy2

Advanced Member

The guy was a jerk

But I find it a little hard to care about motor cycle rental companies in

Thailand. coffee1

DonniePeverley Platinum Member

DonniePeverley

Advanced Member

I'm confused. Why did he do this?

still kicking Star Member

still kicking

Advanced Member
41 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

I'm confused. Why did he do this?

I am confused as well. Who filmed all that?

Priorexpat Silver Member

Priorexpat

Advanced Member

He clearly doesn't care about the money he'll have to pay for the damage to the bike. Also, when I rented a bike there in March they don't hold passports anymore, just photocopy it.

Next up, he doesn't negotiate a turn straight into an oncoming van, Darwin Award winner.

Patong2021 Diamond Member

Patong2021

Advanced Member
12 hours ago, SOTIRIOS said:

...All Vehicles Are Insured...Aren't They...(?)

...The Clients Pay Insurance...Don't They...(?)

...Rampant Xenophobia Some Would Say...(?)

...Intentional...Nothing...(?)

...He Took A Left Path...(?)

...It Veered Of Into The Wilderness...(?)

...Some Would Say He Was Clearly Stuck & Stymied...(?)

...He Tried To Get The Bike Turned Around...(?)

...It Slid Off The Side...(?)

...'Attempted Dirt Biking'...(?)

...Utter Insanity...And Again...With Heavy Undertones Of Racism...(?)

...And Resentment Towards Foreigners...(?)

...This Is Getting Out Of Hand...(?)

Insurance does not insure damage caused to off road use and/or intentional damage.

flaming dragon Gold Member

flaming dragon

Advanced Member
On 5/11/2026 at 4:29 AM, snoop1130 said:

seeking to identify the rider

Then how do they know he's Russian? All the countries in that region speak Russian, especially Ukrainians.

cjinchiangrai Platinum Member

cjinchiangrai

Advanced Member

It would be hard to pick a worse bike for off road. No clearance, small wheels, no dirt tread, top heavy.

It would not be that bad to clean up. 4k for a body kit. Not sure about the foot plate. Everything else looks OK. Maybe the exhaust got mangled. I am thinking under 10k complete.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

He is Russian so how dose he have a valid credit card when the world has stopped Russian using the international banking system.

Perhaps they have cards issued by non-russian banks! Russians can have bank accounts and cards issued in other countries

cynic1 Silver Member

cynic1

Advanced Member
On 5/12/2026 at 5:55 PM, sambum said:

"Concerns also arose due to reports that rental businesses in tourist areas may not retain tourists' passports,...."

Rental businesses are not allowed to retain tourist's passports. In the case of the UK :- "A British passport belongs to His Majesty’s Government. While issued to individuals for international travel and identification, the passport remains the property of the Crown, not the holder, and can be withdrawn or cancelled at any time. [1]"

Who cares. As an Aussie just get a copy of the important pages and give them to the bike shop . Rather than give the original. Plus your comment is so so upper class British mulch being "His Majesty’s Government. Maybe that was impressive 200 years ago but these days it means zero.

sambum Ruby Member

sambum

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, cynic1 said:

Who cares. As an Aussie just get a copy of the important pages and give them to the bike shop . Rather than give the original. Plus your comment is so so upper class British mulch being "His Majesty’s Government. Maybe that was impressive 200 years ago but these days it means zero.

Still His Majesty's Government - but I can understand why you antipodean ex convicts don't want to be part of Great Britain any more! :-)

(P.S. The post quotes passports not copies) the reasoning being that nobody can skip town without their passport.

metisdead Legendary Member

Off topic deflection posts about Dubai have been removed.

cynic1 Silver Member

cynic1

Advanced Member
On 5/14/2026 at 9:43 PM, sambum said:

Still His Majesty's Government - but I can understand why you antipodean ex convicts don't want to be part of Great Britain any more! :-)

(P.S. The post quotes passports not copies) the reasoning being that nobody can skip town without their passport.

True. But they have a copy of the passport that can be fwd to customs to check those details of tourists that try to exit Thailand that have breached local laws.

sambum Ruby Member

sambum

Advanced Member
11 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

True. But they have a copy of the passport that can be fwd to customs to check those details of tourists that try to exit Thailand that have breached local laws.

Correct! But a passport is not just needed to enter and exit a country. Many places ask for your original passport as proof of identity and will not accept a photocopy - my bank, for instance, requires me to show my original passport for ID purposes although they know me having banked with them for more than 20 years! Pedantic, huh? And my local Government hospital will not treat me as an in patient unless I let them keep my passport until I have paid my bill! (Along with a substantial deposit!)

stevenl Star Member

stevenl

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, cynic1 said:

True. But they have a copy of the passport that can be fwd to customs to check those details of tourists that try to exit Thailand that have breached local laws.

Difficult. It's a civil issue, immigration won't want to get involved.

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