A South Korean man has been arrested in Bangkok after a video showing him directing traffic in the middle of a busy Thong Lo road led police to discover he had overstayed his visa for years.
The 51-year-old was filmed standing in the middle of Soi Thong Lo 15 on Friday, July 24, wearing only black shorts and trainers while attempting to direct vehicles. The unusual scene caused confusion among motorists and briefly disrupted traffic as drivers slowed to avoid hitting him.
Viral Bangkok traffic video leads to arrest
The footage was shared on TikTok by user @prachaya62 with the caption “#Thisisthailand #Thonglonumberone #crazysergeant” and quickly spread across Thai social media.
In the video, the man can be seen standing in the roadway, gesturing to vehicles before later collecting a white shirt hanging on a traffic cone. He then put on the shirt and returned to the pavement.
No accidents or injuries were reported.
Thai media later identified the location as Soi Thong Lo 15 and reported that the man was staying at a hotel in nearby Soi Thong Lo 16.
Picture courtesy of TikTok/ @prachya62
Residents and motorcycle taxi riders told reporters that they were familiar with the man and regularly saw him in the area. They said he was usually dressed neatly and visited local restaurants.
Some residents claimed the man’s unusual behaviour occurred after he had used cannabis, although police have not confirmed any connection.
They also said they had never seen him behave violently or attack anyone, while acknowledging that standing in the road created a safety risk for both himself and other road users.
Visa rules remain a key issue for foreigners
Police arrested the South Korean national on July 25 after the video attracted widespread attention. Officers said he had overstayed his visa for years and was being held pending legal proceedings and deportation.
The case highlights a reminder for foreigners living in or visiting Thailand that visa conditions remain strictly enforced. An overstay can lead to legal action, detention, fines, and possible deportation, depending on the circumstances.
The South Korean man’s case began with a public disturbance in one of Bangkok’s busiest neighbourhoods, but ended with an immigration issue that will have serious consequences for his future stay in Thailand.
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28 July 2026
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