A British man is at risk of losing his driving license after being caught drifting during Songkran celebrations in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, on April 12. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows a red car drifting near the Songkran event site close to Black Bridge. While initially commended for yielding to an emergency vehicle, the driver soon faced criticism for the dangerous manoeuvre, confusing festival attendees.

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Hat Yai Police identified the driver as a 55-year-old British man and located him in Bang Klam district, Songkhla. He admitted to the offence, explaining his intent to have fun without causing harm, and expressed his love for Thailand. In a video following his arrest, he publicly apologised for his actions.

Although the drifting took place off a public road, its proximity to the crowded festival raised safety concerns. The police charged the man under Section 43(8) of the Land Transport Act, citing his disregard for public safety. The offence could result in a fine ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 baht, a three-month prison sentence, or both.

In addition to the charges, police have forwarded the case to the Department of Land Transport to request the revocation of his driving license. This move underscores the seriousness of the offence in Thailand, where authorities are keen to maintain public safety during large gatherings like Songkran.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 17 Apr 2026

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The usual fool that just does stupid things and doesn't realise that he's just asking for it... because comfort breeds complacency, the same as familiarity breeds contempt.

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

viral video, shows a red car

Unusual car, sounds OK.

Looks like an old Ford Capri with a V8.

Anyone know exactly what that car is and if the owner wants to sell before he goes to jail and loses his licence?

Did immigration shave his head, too?

Ridiculous singling out of someone on wasteland causing no jeopardy whilst ignoring the real problem…

Why is an old boy like this showing off like a teenager by "drifting" his car? He should be at home smoking his pipe and sorting out his stamp collection. He'll have plenty of time for this maybe after he has his licence taken away and has to sell his hot rod.

I feel for him. Obviously, he likes speed and power. I hope they are lenient on him and all is forgiven. There is a race track in Hat Yah, he should check it out.

7 minutes ago, boloaf said:

Why is an old boy like this showing off like a teenager

Come to Pattaya, you'll see this behaviour daily by young, middle aged and elderly foreigners, mostly on their blinged up scooters.

I hope this Brit loses his international license and if he has a Thai drivers license, he should lose it as well.

He is in a foreign country and I hope this foreign country, Thailand throws the book at him.

No sympathy from me, obviously.

6 minutes ago, Stargeezr said:

I hope this Brit loses his international license and if he has a Thai drivers license, he should lose it as well.

He is in a foreign country and I hope this foreign country, Thailand throws the book at him.

No sympathy from me, obviously.

Okay, but what's to be done with the thousands of locals acting like this daily, causing accidents and fatalities all over the country? I see them on scooters in villages driving 100kph on roads marked for 60kph, no helmets, dogs crossing the streets, families 4-5 on scooters holding a baby, all without helmets. No excuses for anyone, especially coming from another country where this isn't allowed.

Yeah that aint drifting.

Vid is very blurry but I think that capri has a supercharged 1UZ in it... wont name the guy though.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the drifting took place off a public road

Where the police have no jurisdiction unless the land owner files a complaint or owned/leased by a Thai government agency .

I don't see any private property borders (more than one owner?), private property posting, etc. Property appears to be undeveloped, no different from an undeveloped open field.

To say it is a matter of public safety because of the private property ALLEGEDLY (evidence of public endangerment?) is adjacent or near a public road. Then so is any business along side of any public street or open field.

The police appear to be overstepping its authority regardless of the defendant's apologies.

Doesn't seem to be particularly near any festivities to me - I can't see another person in the video!

8 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Unusual car, sounds OK.

Looks like an old Ford Capri with a V8.

Anyone know exactly what that car is and if the owner wants to sell before he goes to jail and loses his licence?

Brilliant forward thinking.

Reckon that deserves another beer.

PM me when ya have the wheels.🙃🙃

Always go for the low hanging fruit. there did not appear to be anyone close to the car, it looks like private waste ground, yet cancel his driving licence. Meanwhile somchai drives into a power pole pi**ed out of his head, and the plod fine him 5K Baht max, and send him on his way to do it again tomorrow.

If it was a couple of Thai youths, it would never have been mentioned, but a farang....well....that is different.

3 hours ago, Stargeezr said:

I hope this Brit loses his international license

There is no such thing. An International Driving PERMIT, is merely a translation of a non-English language licence into major languages, and costs a fiver in UK.

Bet he used to tell his mates back in Engerlaaand how you can do what you want in Tieland the land of the free 😂

Tbh it wouldn’t be my thing at that age , but unusually ( as I don’t suffer fools lightly ) I do actually have some sympathy for him as and where he’s doing it whilst all the drunk / drugged ones are going about in their usual way on public roads.

However TIT and ultimately it’s their country to do as they feel best , if we don’t like it go home cause we will never change their ways

Looks more like donuts than drifting? And as other mentioned, does not look like it's near anyone, so not a safety issue

Impact Speed Park has some great drift races if anyone wants to see some real drifting.

There are so many wannabe Max Verstappens on Thai roads.

Dangerous, even when you are Max or George, much worse if you have their racing driving skills only in your imagination.

5 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Okay, but what's to be done with the thousands of locals acting like this daily, causing accidents and fatalities all over the country? I see them on scooters in villages driving 100kph on roads marked for 60kph, no helmets, dogs crossing the streets, families 4-5 on scooters holding a baby, all without helmets. No excuses for anyone, especially coming from another country where this isn't allowed.

Ok I am a Brit and I think this idiot should be sent home,Thailand has enough of its own clowns and it does not need foreigners setting even more stupid examples.

18 minutes ago, Jimjim1 said:

Ok I am a Brit and I think this idiot should be sent home,Thailand has enough of its own clowns and it does not need foreigners setting even more stupid examples.

Anyone breaking any laws anywhere should be prosecuted according to the laws set on the books, foreigner or local equally. Of course when you're in a country not your own you should respect the locals, but there are quite a few that don't respect anyone anywhere, and sadly they make it bad for those who abide by the laws and also respect others.

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Where the police have no jurisdiction unless the land owner files a complaint or owned/leased by a Thai government agency .

I don't see any private property borders (more than one owner?), private property posting, etc. Property appears to be undeveloped, no different from an undeveloped open field.

To say it is a matter of public safety because of the private property ALLEGEDLY (evidence of public endangerment?) is adjacent or near a public road. Then so is any business along side of any public street or open field.

The police appear to be overstepping its authority regardless of the defendant's apologies.

So I can murder someone on private property and the police have no jurisdiction?

I can go onto private property and smash a car with a baseball bat and the police have no jurisdiction?

Not sure what country you come from but it's not anywhere I know of.

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

The police appear to be overstepping its authority regardless of the defendant's apologies

I reckon it's got a lot to do with respect.

As a foreigner, a visitor, we should be respectful to the Thai people and the Thai law, we should be law abiding citizens.

Doing burnouts in a public area is disrespectful. This driving conduct should be keep to the race track.

1 hour ago, Jimjim1 said:

Ok I am a Brit and I think this idiot should be sent home,Thailand has enough of its own clowns and it does not need foreigners setting even more stupid examples.

A bit harsh perhaps- he looks to me to be a fine example of British Intelligence at its best!

On 4/17/2026 at 11:12 AM, snoop1130 said:

A British man is at risk of losing his driving license after being caught drifting during Songkran celebrations in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, on April 12. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows a red car drifting near the Songkran event site close to Black Bridge. While initially commended for yielding to an emergency vehicle, the driver soon faced criticism for the dangerous manoeuvre, confusing festival attendees.

Get today's headlines by email

Hat Yai Police identified the driver as a 55-year-old British man and located him in Bang Klam district, Songkhla. He admitted to the offence, explaining his intent to have fun without causing harm, and expressed his love for Thailand. In a video following his arrest, he publicly apologised for his actions.

Although the drifting took place off a public road, its proximity to the crowded festival raised safety concerns. The police charged the man under Section 43(8) of the Land Transport Act, citing his disregard for public safety. The offence could result in a fine ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 baht, a three-month prison sentence, or both.

In addition to the charges, police have forwarded the case to the Department of Land Transport to request the revocation of his driving license. This move underscores the seriousness of the offence in Thailand, where authorities are keen to maintain public safety during large gatherings like Songkran.

Join the discussion?

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 17 Apr 2026

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Drifting???? I think not. A poor attempt at doing a doughnut and failing badly. 🙈

10 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Yeah that aint drifting.

Vid is very blurry but I think that capri has a supercharged 1UZ in it... wont name the guy though.

700 horsepower?

There is no place in Thailand for so much horsepower.

He should move to Arabia

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

700 horsepower?

There is no place in Thailand for so much horsepower.

He should move to Arabia

What drugs are you taking ?