Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

A festive spectacle on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road through Bangkok captured the attention of many, including that of law enforcement, as a car adorned with reindeer antlers, a red nose, and twinkling Christmas lights drove along the busy street.

 

The driver, 29 year old Supattha, admitted to officers that he decorated his vehicle in collaboration with friends to attract more passengers during the holiday season, as he works as a ride-sharing driver.

 

The viral TikTok clip, showcasing the uniquely decorated vehicle, quickly amassed over 12 million views and was shared more than 200,000 times, sparking debate among netizens about the legality of such decorations on vehicles. The video prompted a response from law enforcement.

 

Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Bureau Commander, along with Deputy Commander Police Major General Thawat Wongsanga, instructed Traffic Police Commander Police Major General Surachet Bundit and his team to investigate the incident yesterday, December 23. This led to Supattha being summoned to the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre to address the legal implications of his actions.

 

The investigation revealed that the decorations, while festive, were not legally permissible under Thailand’s vehicle regulations. Supattha explained that the Christmas lights and reindeer embellishments were meant to align with the festive season and were intended as a marketing strategy to draw more passengers to his ride-sharing service.

 

 

“I wanted to spread some holiday cheer and, at the same time, make my car more noticeable to potential customers,” Supattha explained.

 

Despite the driver’s festive intentions, the police cited him for modifying his vehicle’s lighting system, a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1979. Supattha received a fine for two separate offences: 1,000 baht for altering the vehicle’s lights and an additional 500 baht for using non-compliant equipment, totalling 1,500 baht.

 

Law enforcement officials advised Supattha to caution his friends, who had also decorated their vehicles, about the potential legal consequences of such modifications. Police emphasised the importance of adhering to regulations to ensure road safety and prevent distractions for other drivers, reported KhaoSod.

 

“We understand the festive spirit, but safety on the roads is paramount. Modifications that could impair visibility or distract other drivers are not permissible.”

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-24

 

 

I sort of like it.

Didn't this also happen to some foreigner a few days ago?

 

but safety on the roads is paramount  555

 

 

10 hours ago, Peabody said:

Didn't this also happen to some foreigner a few days ago?

 

Yes a Russian in Pattaya loved Christmas so much.

 

Complete off-topic: read about such a case in Germany on a super sports car.

New TikTok trend?