Report Phuket Fines Over 28,000 Foreign Tourists for Traffic Offences in 2025

[snoop1130]

 

Phuket officials have reported that 28,809 foreign tourists were fined for traffic violations on the island in 2025. Russian visitors topped the list with 3,121 cases, followed by tourists from China (1,721), the UK (1,419), France (1,365), and India (1,069).

 

Commander Sinlert Sukhum of the Phuket Provincial Police shared these statistics during a recent press conference. The data reflects efforts under the Phuket Model, which aims to curb crime, protect tourists, and reduce road accidents.

 

Since January 1, the police have arrested 369 foreigners for various offences. These include 87 violations of the Immigration Act, 65 cases of drunk driving, and 27 breaches of the Alien Employment Act. Additionally, 23 incidents were drug-related, and there were 51 other criminal offences.

 

Road safety saw notable improvement during the 2025 Songkran Festival, with 45 road accidents and no fatalities, thanks to strict law enforcement and initiatives like the 100% Helmet Project.

 

Significant cases included arrests related to foreign nominee companies and drug trafficking by Nigerian nationals with student visas. These operations were led by the Kamala Police Station.

 

Looking forward, the Phuket police plan to enhance security with the expansion of the Phuket Eye smart security network. This next phase will add 503 CCTV cameras, bringing the total to 736, funded by a 98 million baht budget. The new system will include license plate recognition and 30-day image storage, with completion set for 2026 and future enhancements expected to exceed 190 million baht.

 

Commander Sinlert affirmed the commitment to crime prevention, traffic discipline, and tourist safety, underscoring efforts to maintain Phuket's status as a safe, world-class destination.

 

In response to local and tourist complaints, officials announced cannabis restrictions on June 19, designating specific zones for legal cannabis use.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-23

 

 

[riclag]

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 

In response to local and tourist complaints, officials announced cannabis restrictions on June 19, designating specific zones for legal cannabis use

My wife will love the specific zones!

A Smoke free  area ! Hopefully its all restaurants / bars.

 

[smedly]

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

[thesetat]

10 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

Most likely because the number of Thais caught seriously show the police only focused on stopping the foreigners. We all know what good drivers the Thais are and that they do not need to be stopped and checked.. 

[Bert got kinky]

 

And these are only the reported cases.

There will also be many more where the fine (?) goes directly into the officer's pocket.

 

[papa al]

Excellent.!

[mikeymike100]

15 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

Yes good question, statistically should be a lot more as there are more locals, but I wonder?

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket officials have reported that 28,809 foreign tourists were fined for traffic violations on the island in 2025

Good for the coffers, nothing else.

[GreasyFingers]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket officials have reported that 28,809 foreign tourists were fined for traffic violations on the island in 2025. Russian visitors topped the list with 3,121 cases, followed by tourists from China (1,721), the UK (1,419), France (1,365), and India (1,069).

Would someone like to check my maths. The numbers quoted total 9,235. Who were the other 19,574.

[BillyBloggs]

Hope the local in the pic was fined for no helmet, probably not, in the sticks I get waved through either because they know me and Im always polite, maybe, or they dont want to try and talk to me, most likely.

[gargamon]

Does this include the times a policeman pockets some money for now writing a ticket?

[blaze master]

3 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Does this include the times a policeman pockets some money for now writing a ticket?

 

Yes....yes it does...wink wink

[MalcolmB]

15 hours ago, smedly said:

how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

118,542 thais

 

15 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication,

Written by a foreigner in an English news source for a forum for foreigners.

[MalcolmB]

19 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

Would someone like to check my maths. The numbers quoted total 9,235. Who were the other 19,574.

Israelis?

[NedR69]

Meanwhile, in other news, there were 17 citations issued to Thai citizens during the same period of 2025.

[Quentin Zen]

Phuket is estimated to be home to over 100,000 foreign residents, with some sources indicating the number could be as high as 115,000.

 

Get them all!!!!!   2,000 baht each.   Raise the fine to 10,000 baht.   Then 100,000 baht.   Phuket and Pattaya, never good news from these places. 

[Quentin Zen]

3 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

Meanwhile, in other news, there were 17 citations issued to Thai citizens during the same period of 2025.

 

You obviously don't know any Thais.   I drove with a Thai doctor and he told me his Thai doctor friend (dark-skinned) is stopped at almost every check point, sometimes urine.  He's been stopped over 10 times.  I knew some Thai teachers with over 10 speeding tickets.  Don't you see the checks and the police talking to Thais?  

[sikishrory]

I get stopped almost daily when I take my gf to work. Flash license and gone in seconds. 

If you come here riding around with no shirt / helmet / license and barely ridden a bike in your life i'm happy to watch these cops f up your day. 

It's a shame they don't go a step further and punish the shops renting to customers without a license. 

[actonion]

I would question any traffic violation from a Thai police man, they know very little about  traffic laws or any other law  as i have experienced

I was in the outside (overtaking lane) at 05.00 one morning, indicator on , about to make a u turn, and was flagged down by a police man who tried to fine me  500b for driving in the outside lane,  i argued i was in the outside lane because of making a u turn, several minutes later he waved me to drive off... thick as 2 short planks

[ndreamer]

16 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

Seen a thai guy get pulled over in Udon once, he said no money. Officer asked him to get him a soft-drink over the road (officer paid). That was no license, no registration, no helmet.

[Mannekenpis]

17 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

Because at many checkpoints located is touristic areas, they only stop foreigners. At Chalong roundabout, Thais and expats alike do not get stopped. Only tourists. They are easily recognizable 

[mikeymike100]

13 minutes ago, Mannekenpis said:

Because at many checkpoints located is touristic areas, they only stop foreigners. At Chalong roundabout, Thais and expats alike do not get stopped. Only tourists. They are easily recognizable 

I can understand Thais been recognizable, but how do they differentiate expats from tourists?

[ujayujay]

2 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Would someone like to check my maths. The numbers quoted total 9,235. Who were the other 19,574.

Those who can read have an advantage

[StevieAus]

2 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

 

You obviously don't know any Thais.   I drove with a Thai doctor and he told me his Thai doctor friend (dark-skinned) is stopped at almost every check point, sometimes urine.  He's been stopped over 10 times.  I knew some Thai teachers with over 10 speeding tickets.  Don't you see the checks and the police talking to Thais?  

Where I live in the North the police are booking Thais, I am never asked to show my licence or asked to undertake any form of test always waved through.

[Sydebolle]

a) how do they know the nationality; my (Thai) driving license does not say 
b) only one of the two IDP International Driving Permits is recognized by Thailand
c) can it be taken that many Thais (as seen countless times myself) settle the "inconvenience" with one or two red banknotes while the police officer is bending into the car on the driver's side? 

What is the purpose of this editorial in the first place - do I interpret more "farang bashing"? 

[Gottfrid]

19 hours ago, smedly said:

why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

Easily explained. The citizens of this country have the majority of crimes and accidents as well as traffic violations. Same as we, citizens of our home country holds the majority of all three there. As expats or tourists in a foreign country, you should be able to follow the laws in the country you move to. So, 28 000 in just 1 place is alarming.

[stix40]

At the same time 

28.000.000 Thai drivers were fined for driving offences 😂

 

[BerndD]

19 hours ago, riclag said:

 

 

NO!

[BerndD]

Why just foreigners reported in this publication, how many Thais were caught for the same period ???

 

Thais? The Thais can't count that far....

[LivingNThailand]

2 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

I can understand Thais been recognizable, but how do they differentiate expats from tourists?

Most of the time pretty easy. Tourists dress like, well, tourists.  And act like tourists.  Short shorts, tank tops, no shirts for men, driving like they have never been on a motorbike, weaving in and out of dangerous situations.  Local expats dress more conservative and treat Thais with respect, for the most part.  At least in the area of Phuket that I live in.