Tourists Ignore Police in Patong: Drag Locked Motorbike Through Streets

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture and video from facebook.

 

A video capturing an incident in Patong, Phuket, has gone viral on social media. Two foreign tourists were seen defying local law enforcement by dragging a motorbike with a police wheel lock still attached, ignoring warnings from bystanders.

 

The video, shared by Facebook user Somsak Lechai, shows the tourists attempting to remove the chain securing the wheel lock. When that failed, one tourist rode the motorbike while the other dragged it along the road, completely ignoring warnings from nearby taxi drivers and passersby who tried to intervene. The post sarcastically commented, “Police wheel locks don’t work on Grade A tourists.”

 

The incident occurred on Thaweewong Road, in the Kathu district of Patong. According to the person who filmed the video, the tourists were repeatedly told not to move the motorbike, as it was under police enforcement. Despite this, they continued their actions, seemingly unfazed.

 

The footage has sparked widespread discussion and criticism online, with comments ranging from disbelief to humor. Social media users remarked, “The rental bike will be destroyed for sure,” and, “This only happens in Phuket, where money seems to solve everything.” Others suggested that stronger enforcement measures, such as anchor chains, might be needed to deal with such behaviour.

 

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign tourists in Thailand following the introduction of the visa-free entry policy. Some netizens linked the tourists’ behavior to a lack of respect for local laws, with comments like, “Free visa equals free law,” and, “Even in Phuket, they dare to act like this. The law is powerless here.”

 

The video has further fueled ongoing debates about the treatment of tourists and the enforcement of local laws in Thailand’s popular tourist destinations. Local authorities have yet to comment on the matter.

 

-- 2024-12-19

 

 

 

[flyingtlger]

4 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

shows the tourists attempting to remove the chain securing the wheel lock

 

Damn foreign tourists....

[JoePai]

Just taking the bike for it's daily constitutional 

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Others suggested that stronger enforcement measures, such as anchor chains,

...or maybe actual policemen?

[KhunBENQ]

Grade A tourists easy to spot .

No no I have no prejudice. Just by chance it's these tourists.

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

...or maybe actual policemen?

And then?

Guarding the bike?

 

What really helps like often seen in Pattaya:

loading on a pickup and move to a fairly hidden place off South Pattaya Rd. Quite a hassle and motorbike taxi rides to free the vehicle.

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

...or maybe actual policemen?

 

Yup, all Thailand needs is a functioning police force, get them out on the streets enforcing laws and rules. Sitting in A/C offices and police boxes scrolling through their smartphones all day is doing nothing.

[KhunBENQ]

Many countries can not even afford to bother police with parking violations.

Usually done by some "public order office" under city council rule.