Thai Woman Fined for Letting Tourist Drive Tuk Tuk in Phuket

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์

 

A Thai tuk tuk owner has been fined after a foreign tourist was spotted driving the vehicle in Phuket, sparking a heated online debate. This incident unfolded yesterday, as a series of photos emerged on social media, allegedly showing the tourist driving the tuk tuk illegally on a Phuket road.

 

The images, shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page, depicted a foreign man waving and giving a thumbs-up while behind the wheel of a distinctly light blue tuk tuk. A caption with the post criticised the foreigner for supposedly working illegally, implying that foreigners are taking jobs meant for Thai citizens.

 

However, many online commenters quickly dismissed this narrative, suggesting it was a harmless attempt by the Thai driver to let the foreigner experience driving the tuk tuk momentarily. Some noted that it was actually the Thai driver who took photos from within the vehicle, dispelling accusations of illegal work.

 

 

Despite the mixed reactions online, officials from Patong Police Station conducted an investigation. They questioned the tuk tuk's owner, who clarified that a Thai driver had indeed allowed the foreign tourist to drive briefly for fun. The owner further explained that the foreigner, a taxi driver from abroad, was curious about operating a tuk tuk.

 

Though it was confirmed that the tourist wasn't engaged in any paid work, the owner now faces a fine of up to 2,000 baht for permitting someone without a valid license to drive the tuk tuk under Section 56 of the Vehicle Act. The incident highlights ongoing tensions around foreign workers in Thailand, though this particular case seems to stem more from a misunderstanding than a legal transgression, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

[Mason45]

So a repair guy who services any tuk tuk needs a a valid license to road test the vehicle.

[ikke1959]

Stupidity in Thailand is unbelieveable...Everything must be controlled in the land of freedom....as they pretend the name of the country is... Really nothing can be done for fun, ridiculous to fine this.. There are much worse cases to handle than such.. 

[blaze master]

That's it. Deport every single tourist in thailand. Enough is enough. 

[PopGun]

A bit of easy revenue for the force  🚔

[john11k]

The tuk tuk owner was getting a few extra quid.  For keeping the forigners happy snappy for social media

 And another tuk tuk owner must have gotten red eyes.  

[Aussie999]

Be nice to see what Section 56 actually says.

[Iron Tongue]

What a load of steamy ****! 

Just some simple fun with no harm done and the tourist was a taxi driver.  I'd do a few turns on a tuktuk if given the opportunity.

The Thais are going to regulate & fine themselves out of a tropical vacation destination.

[Tarteso]

  On 2/21/2025 at 9:54 AM, snoop1130 said:

sparking a heated online debate.

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What ways to break a man's fantasy and dream of life .. of driving a Tuk Tuk

[Robert Tyrrell]

Good  Morning 🌄, 

My God !! REALLY !!?? Like no helmets bring worn on motorcycles , 3 and more on a motorbike !!?? Drunk drivers and road fatalities!! YOU THINK THERES MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO ADDRESS HERE THAILAND 🇹🇭  !!?? 🙂

 

[hotchilli]

  On 2/21/2025 at 9:54 AM, snoop1130 said:

They questioned the tuk tuk's owner, who clarified that a Thai driver had indeed allowed the foreign tourist to drive briefly for fun. The owner further explained that the foreigner, a taxi driver from abroad, was curious about operating a tuk tuk.

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Some harmless fun, show some sense of humour

[digger70]

Thai Woman Fined for Letting Tourist Drive Tuk Tuk in Phuket

 

That's a bit far fetched ain't it. No harm done .

No valid License ? Pommy Taxi Driver .

Counld't be worse that the Tuk tuk driver

[smedly]

  On 2/21/2025 at 9:54 AM, snoop1130 said:

A Thai tuk tuk owner has been fined after a foreign tourist was spotted driving the vehicle in Phuket, sparking a heated online debate. This incident unfolded yesterday, as a series of photos emerged on social media, allegedly showing the tourist driving the tuk tuk illegally on a Phuket road.

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more serious issues on Thai roads than this very minor fun

[Frankie baby]

Don't the police have any policing to do.

[Classic Ray]

All the tuk tuks in Bangkok have three wheels, is this a special breed in Phuket?

[Surasak]

  On 2/22/2025 at 12:35 AM, Frankie baby said:

Don't the police have any policing to do.

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They need to have it explained to them in words of one syllable. BUT, having agreed with your explanation, they then carry on as before. Typical Thai.

[BerndD]

  On 2/21/2025 at 12:51 PM, ikke1959 said:

Stupidity in Thailand is unbelieveable...Everything must be controlled in the land of freedom....as they pretend the name of the country is... Really nothing can be done for fun, ridiculous to fine this.. There are much worse cases to handle than such.. 

Expand  

"... the land of freedom..."  It's just as much a joke as the statement 'Land of Smile'.

[somchaiq]

  On 2/21/2025 at 10:23 PM, Aussie999 said:

Be nice to see what Section 56 actually says.

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I found a Unofficial translation of the Vehicle Act on the Internet:
Section 56. Subject to the provisions of section 43 and section 57, no
owner of vehicle or driver shall allow any person who has no driving license, or
having a driving license of other category of vehicle which is not interchangeable, to
drive his or her vehicle or the vehicle which he or she is the driver
Section 56. Subject to the provisions of section 43 and section 57, no
owner of vehicle or driver shall allow any person who has no driving license, or
having a driving license of other category of vehicle which is not interchangeable, to
drive his or her vehicle or the vehicle which he or she is the driver

[kiwikeith]

  On 2/21/2025 at 1:01 PM, blaze master said:

That's it. Deport every single tourist in thailand. Enough is enough. 

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I helped a old Thai man ride his try cycle back to my hotel after hiring him to take me to a nightclub, I bought him a few drinks and he was to tired to get me home so I rode the bike and he was passenger was a good bit of fun 

[blaze master]

  On 2/22/2025 at 1:44 AM, kiwikeith said:

I helped a old Thai man ride his try cycle back to my hotel after hiring him to take me to a nightclub, I bought him a few drinks and he was to tired to get me home so I rode the bike and he was passenger was a good bit of fun 

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Deport.

[kiwikeith]

  On 2/22/2025 at 1:48 AM, blaze master said:

 

Deport.

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I didn't charge him I gave him a tip

[mrfill]

  On 2/21/2025 at 10:06 AM, Mason45 said:

So a repair guy who services any tuk tuk needs a a valid license to road test the vehicle.

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A tuk tuk being serviced? That would be a first....

[Harrisfan]

  On 2/21/2025 at 12:51 PM, ikke1959 said:

Stupidity in Thailand is unbelieveable...Everything must be controlled in the land of freedom....as they pretend the name of the country is... Really nothing can be done for fun, ridiculous to fine this.. There are much worse cases to handle than such.. 

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Socialism is a worldwide virus

[Chongalulu]

”You'll never guess who I had in the FRONT of my cab yesterday!”.  ..

[AustinRacing]

So shallow and thin skinned these people are. 

[iLuvThai]

  On 2/21/2025 at 10:06 AM, Mason45 said:

So a repair guy who services any tuk tuk needs a a valid license to road test the vehicle.

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I suspect a repair person would also be Thai seeing that it's most likely a job a foreigner can't have. Regardless, if your driving even a test drive you should have a valid license. 

[iLuvThai]

The foreigner probably paid the tuk tuk driver some Cash so they could get a picture of himself for his social media account. 

I wonder who threw them under the........tuk tuk 🛺 

[sambum]

Strangest tuk tuk I've ever seen!

[sambum]

  On 2/21/2025 at 11:04 PM, hotchilli said:

Some harmless fun, show some sense of humour

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Bit of jealousy creeping in from other tuk tuk drivers?

[Kenneth White]

This all seems pretty innocent to me. Mom always said if you make a big deal of something, it becomes a big deal, which appears to be what this has turned out to be.