Picture courtesy of Channel 7

 

A Kenyan language teacher in Chiang Mai panicked at the sound of screams and fireworks during the Yi Peng Festival and accidentally drove her car into the city moat on Loy Krathong night (November 5, 2025).

 

The incident occurred in front of Wat Lok Molee in Chiang Mai when a red Nissan sedan plunged into the moat amid the festive crowds of both Thai and foreign visitors celebrating Yi Peng.

 

Good Samaritans who witnessed the accident quickly jumped into the water and helped the driver to safety. Nearby, four Chinese tourists—two adults and two children—were startled by the commotion and tried to run away. One of them fell into the water and sustained minor injuries before being taken to the hospital.

 

The driver, a Kenyan woman and language teacher at a local school, told police she was driving from Huay Kaew Road toward her residence in the Chang Phueak area. She said she had rolled down her window when she suddenly heard children screaming and the loud sound of firecrackers. Startled, she accidentally pressed the accelerator, causing the car to lunge into the moat.

 

Police from Mueang Chiang Mai Station arrived to inspect the scene and coordinated with a tow truck to retrieve the car from the water, which took about three hours. The vehicle was later taken to the station for safekeeping. Officers then accompanied the Kenyan woman to her residence to collect her passport and return to the station for official documentation and further questioning.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A Kenyan teacher accidentally drove into a moat during Loy Krathong.
• Witnesses rescued the driver; a tourist was slightly injured in the chaos.
• Police recovered the vehicle and conducted further enquiries.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Channel 7 2025-11-06

 

 

Not somebody who should be trusted with machinery 

"Quick, there's a loud bang, drive into the nearest body of water" - Good idea batman.

He mistook the canal for a Kenyan car wash

She had to have been moving pretty fast to jump that curb and end up in the moat perpendicular to the road.

1 hour ago, Grumpy one said:

He mistook the canal for a Kenyan car wash

She..

5 hours ago, brian69 said:

She..

He She none have enough brains to drive safely

Okay, check her work permit, visa and driving license... sorry, but no-one with an ounce of sence does this. Smells like a whole load of freshly laid manure IMO.

Also, even if legit and you end up in a lake with your car under water implies you are an incompetent muppet... how does that happen?

She seems like a fool and gave some BS exuces that "I was paniced by the fireworkks" etc. If true, then you should not be near anything close to being in control of a mechanical vehicle.

26 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

Okay, check her work permit, visa and driving license... sorry, but no-one with an ounce of sence does this. Smells like a whole load of freshly laid manure IMO.

Also, even if legit and you end up in a lake with your car under water implies you are an incompetent muppet... how does that happen?

She seems like a fool and gave some BS exuces that "I was paniced by the fireworkks" etc. If true, then you should not be near anything close to being in control of a mechanical vehicle.

...or a classroom of pupils.

10 hours ago, brian69 said:

She..

Oh don't be Gender specific please , I certainly don't like be "indentified" in my work emails and I am indentified as a "non gender ' person 

1 hour ago, JingerBen said:

...or a classroom of pupils.

Check her visa.

Check her work permit.

Is everything in order?

If not, deport her immediately.

Thailand has to learn some hard lessons before it is too late, as it is already in so many Western countries.

Glad she's OK.

Accidents happen.

How's the car?

It's hard to believe that a person could cause an accident like this without being drunk or stoned.

Did the cops test her for impairment?

So often there is no follow-up on cases like this. They just go down the memory- hole.

Either way, drunk or sober, stoned or straight, she should be stripped of her driver's license - if she had one in the first place - as a clear and present danger to other people.

Can see the advert now:-

 

Nissan Sedan for sale. Recently washed. One careful(ish) owner. 

20 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

 

20 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

He She none have enough brains to drive safely

What all Kenyans ? So you have been to Kenya then ?....

On 11/6/2025 at 9:17 AM, webfact said:

The driver, a Kenyan woman and language teacher at a local school, told police she was driving from Huay Kaew Road toward her residence in the Chang Phueak area. She said she had rolled down her window when she suddenly heard children screaming and the loud sound of firecrackers. Startled, she accidentally pressed the accelerator, causing the car to lunge into the moat.

As one does

On 11/6/2025 at 2:17 AM, webfact said:

A Kenyan language teacher in Chiang Mai panicked at the sound of screams and fireworks during the Yi Peng Festival and accidentally drove her car into the city moat on Loy Krathong night

 

Another reason to abolish fireworks.

On 11/20/2025 at 6:17 AM, watchcat said:

 

Another reason to abolish fireworks.

Fireworks are a major part of all the traditional holidays and celebrations here.

I'd rather see them ban Kenyans.

7 minutes ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

Fireworks are a major part of all the traditional holidays and celebrations here.

I'd rather see them ban Kenyans.

 

I really hope you're holding your breath on your wish coming true.

 

Arse.