A viral video shared on 9 June 2026 has shown a child, estimated to be under 10 years old, steering a passenger car on a busy public road in Phuket. The vehicle was seen moving erratically and weaving across lanes on Chaofa Road, heading towards the Central Phuket intersection, in moderate to heavy traffic. Other road users reportedly slowed and increased distance after noticing the unpredictable driving, which raised immediate safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians in the area.

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The clip, circulated by a local news pages in Phuket, initially led viewers to believe the driver may have been intoxicated or inexperienced due to the vehicle’s unstable movement. However, closer observation revealed that the person behind the wheel was a young boy, seated on the lap of a foreign adult. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing significant attention and debate.

The video triggered widespread criticism online, with many users questioning the responsibility of the child’s guardians for allowing him to operate a vehicle on a public highway. Commenters also called for accountability from authorities, repeatedly asking where the police were at the time of the incident. Some social media users compared the situation to other countries where such behaviour could result in immediate legal consequences for guardians.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Concerns were also raised about road safety on one of Phuket’s main routes, which typically experiences high traffic volumes throughout the day. Observers noted that the risk extended beyond the individuals in the vehicle, potentially endangering other road users if an accident had occurred. The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and closer monitoring of unsafe driving practices, particularly involving minors.

Amarin reported that as of the time of reporting, there has been no confirmed statement from local authorities regarding any investigation or legal action linked to the video. Public attention continues to focus on whether police will examine the circumstances and determine whether any offences were committed by the driver or guardians involved. The situation remains under public scrutiny as online discussions persist.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026

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5 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

viral video shared on 9 June 2026 has shown a child, estimated to be under 10 years old, steering a passenger car on a busy public road in Phuket

Nothing wrong that I can see, I often get my dog to ride the bike home after a night on the drink

Irresponsible, especially for a foreigner that knows how road rules are back home. A lot like the thousands of children that are allowed to drive scooters here without helmets, 3 on a scooter, from 8 years old up.

I've given the controls over to wee ones many times, and apparently they did much better job than that youngin. Even let them drive way before legal, by themselves, if I thought capable.

Driving enthusiast that I am, that is one of my favorite childhood memories, steering the car on my father's lap.

There was a case near Phuket around 10 years ago of a 9 year old girl that would drive herself to school in a pickup truck, for around 20km each way. The video showed her driving better than most adult Thais.

Wasn't a Russian was it? I recall a tale of a Russian pilot letting his kid sit in his seat and fly the plane. He crashed it killing 75.

39 minutes ago, Packer said:

There was a case near Phuket around 10 years ago of a 9 year old girl that would drive herself to school in a pickup truck, for around 20km each way. The video showed her driving better than most adult Thais.

Well the bar for a lot of adults is set pretty low here so entirely plausible.

They need to clarify just who qualifies as a 'designated driver'

UPDATE

British Father Charged After Son, 9, Drives in Phuket

Pictures courtesy of Bangkokpost

A British man has been charged after police identified him as the driver involved in a viral Phuket road incident in which his nine-year-old son was allowed to steer a car on a busy public road.

The development follows widespread online criticism after footage emerged showing what appeared to be a young foreign child driving a vehicle along Chao Fa West Road in Phuket. The video, recorded near My Front Yard Community Mall in Muang district, showed the car swerving from side to side and braking abruptly, raising concerns about the safety of other road users.

According to police, the boy was sitting on his father’s lap and steering the vehicle while it was travelling on the public road. The footage was captured by a concerned passerby, who later reported the incident to authorities.

Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, superintendent of Vichit Police Station, ordered investigators to locate the foreign man seen in the video. Following an investigation, officers tracked down the suspect, identified only as Grant, a British national, at his residence in Chalong subdistrict, Muang district.

Police also located and seized the Honda City shown in the footage. During questioning, Grant admitted he was the driver seen in the video and acknowledged that he had allowed his son to operate the vehicle.

The case has now been transferred to investigators at Vichit Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said the actions captured in the video created a potential danger to other motorists and road users due to the vehicle’s erratic movement.

Grant is facing multiple charges, including reckless driving that endangers public safety, permitting an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle, and encouraging or allowing a child to engage in inappropriate behaviour that could negatively affect the child’s conduct.

The charges have been filed under the Land Traffic Act, the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979), and the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003).

The Bangkokpost reported that the incident sparked strong reaction on social media, with many users questioning the judgement of the parent and calling for authorities to take action. The latest police announcement confirms that investigators have identified the individuals involved and commenced legal proceedings.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 12 June 2026

Been in Thailand too long...thinking like a Thai...especially Isan...555

Muppet really, risking his whole life here just to do something dangerous. He's probably in a lot of trouble and may be sent packing under this new 30 day sentence rule.

C'mon! If you haven't steered on your father's lap, you lost one of the loving experiences of childhood! Not on such a busy road, though. Father is sitting there, ready to take over, no accident.

2 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Muppet really, risking his whole life here just to do something dangerous. He's probably in a lot of trouble and may be sent packing under this new 30 day sentence rule.

correction: he is risking the lives and health of others, he is teaching his son that here in thailand you can do whatever you want.

a real role model for his children ...

Dam, was hoping it was going to be an Israeli

They seem popular now days in Thailand now days.

Drat Drat and Double Drat.

Brits again.

4 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Been in Thailand too long...thinking like a Thai...especially Isan...555

Hasn't been in Thailand long enough and is acting like a Brit.

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

C'mon! If you haven't steered on your father's lap, you lost one of the loving experiences of childhood! Not on such a busy road, though. Father is sitting there, ready to take over, no accident.

We did that on logging roads, not in traffic. What is it with Brits? They're in the crime headlines every day, then in the forums excusing their countrymen's poor behaviour and criminality. No wonder their country is in the gutter.

Suddenly the police are clamping down on unsafe driving! Wow. They might end up being only the 10th most dangerous country in the world; not the hub of road deaths any more!

7 hours ago, crouchpeter said:

Suddenly the police are clamping down on unsafe driving! Wow. They might end up being only the 10th most dangerous country in the world; not the hub of road deaths any more!

Epic level of 'whataboutism' in that post. Can you not admit that it was an incredibly stupid act? And B: Are you from the UK?

20 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE

British Father Charged After Son, 9, Drives in Phuket

Pictures courtesy of Bangkokpost

A British man has been charged after police identified him as the driver involved in a viral Phuket road incident in which his nine-year-old son was allowed to steer a car on a busy public road.

The development follows widespread online criticism after footage emerged showing what appeared to be a young foreign child driving a vehicle along Chao Fa West Road in Phuket. The video, recorded near My Front Yard Community Mall in Muang district, showed the car swerving from side to side and braking abruptly, raising concerns about the safety of other road users.

According to police, the boy was sitting on his father’s lap and steering the vehicle while it was travelling on the public road. The footage was captured by a concerned passerby, who later reported the incident to authorities.

Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, superintendent of Vichit Police Station, ordered investigators to locate the foreign man seen in the video. Following an investigation, officers tracked down the suspect, identified only as Grant, a British national, at his residence in Chalong subdistrict, Muang district.

Police also located and seized the Honda City shown in the footage. During questioning, Grant admitted he was the driver seen in the video and acknowledged that he had allowed his son to operate the vehicle.

The case has now been transferred to investigators at Vichit Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said the actions captured in the video created a potential danger to other motorists and road users due to the vehicle’s erratic movement.

Grant is facing multiple charges, including reckless driving that endangers public safety, permitting an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle, and encouraging or allowing a child to engage in inappropriate behaviour that could negatively affect the child’s conduct.

The charges have been filed under the Land Traffic Act, the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979), and the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003).

The Bangkokpost reported that the incident sparked strong reaction on social media, with many users questioning the judgement of the parent and calling for authorities to take action. The latest police announcement confirms that investigators have identified the individuals involved and commenced legal proceedings.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 12 June 2026

Revoke the visa for this idiot

The charge "and encouraging or allowing a child to engage in inappropriate behaviour that could negatively affect the child’s conduct.".....LOL....is there not something equivalent to "Child Endangerment" in this GD country......Oh yah, I forgot.....TIT!!!!

Ridiculous behaviour. Thankfully nobody appears to have been hurt as a result of this stupidity. Problem could arise if any penalty which may be imposed involves some form of detention. Hopefully, in the event that happens, there is somebody qualified to care for the son.

13 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

We did that on logging roads, not in traffic. What is it with Brits?

Britain is quite a small country. Maybe the Phuket traffic was the same as light traffic in urban UK.

I'm sure I have done the same steering on father knee on rural roads.

The Brits only mistake was not finding a quiet road.

25 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Britain is quite a small country. Maybe the Phuket traffic was the same as light traffic in urban UK.

I'm sure I have done the same steering on father knee on rural roads.

The Brits only mistake was not finding a quiet road.

It's a great thing to do on an empty stretch of rural road or in the backcountry. I've been the child and the adult in that situation but not where any other vehicles were present. I believe that every boy should own a knife, then a gun when he's responsible enough to use it, so I'm certainly not a pearl clutcher. Might as well give him both if you're going to let him steer in Thai traffic.

2 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

It's a great thing to do on an empty stretch of rural road or in the backcountry. I've been the child and the adult in that situation but not where any other vehicles were present. I believe that every boy should own a knife, then a gun when he's responsible enough to use it, so I'm certainly not a pearl clutcher. Might as well give him both if you're going to let him steer in Thai traffic.

2 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

It's a great thing to do on an empty stretch of rural road or in the backcountry. I've been the child and the adult in that situation but not where any other vehicles were present. I believe that every boy should own a knife, then a gun when he's responsible enough to use it, so I'm certainly not a pearl clutcher. Might as well give him both if you're going to let him steer in Thai traffic.

Every boy should own a knife and a gun? Are you American? Just guessing.

25 minutes ago, msbkk said:

Every boy should own a knife and a gun? Are you American? Just guessing.

Close, I'm Canadian and grew up in an era where all of us had knives and a few had guns (in their father's care until they were legal age). We never brought our knives to school or brandished them towards another person because that would mean losing the privilege of owning the knife. Even worse, it meant having to face an angry and disappointed father. We had wilderness behind our houses and had bears in our yards a couple of times per week. It was a magical way to grow up. You can see where 'driving' the car came in.

6 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

Close, I'm Canadian and grew up in an era where all of us had knives and a few had guns (in their father's care until they were legal age). We never brought our knives to school or brandished them towards another person because that would mean losing the privilege of owning the knife. Even worse, it meant having to face an angry and disappointed father. We had wilderness behind our houses and had bears in our yards a couple of times per week. It was a magical way to grow up. You can see where 'driving' the car came in.

Ok, in the Canadian Wilderness and some other areas it does make sense. I hope that here in Thailand it will never come to that.

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Ridiculous behaviour. Thankfully nobody appears to have been hurt as a result of this stupidity. Problem could arise if any penalty which may be imposed involves some form of detention. Hopefully, in the event that happens, there is somebody qualified to care for the son.

Although it was a stupid thing to do on a public road, nobody was hurt and the Father will get small fine, not detention!

The kid is already a better driver ( no accident yet) than most of the loonies on the road in Pattaya.

21 hours ago, motdaeng said:

correction: he is risking the lives and health of others, he is teaching his son that here in thailand you can do whatever you want.

a real role model for his children ...

Isnt that what thai kids do every day on scooters hauling 3 and 4 at a time weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for other drivers. Ive see 8 or 9 year olds driving alone or even with adults on the back.

40 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Isnt that what thai kids do every day on scooters hauling 3 and 4 at a time weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for other drivers. Ive see 8 or 9 year olds driving alone or even with adults on the back.

I was thinking much the same. A kid sitting on the parent's lap and steering a car is nowhere near as dangerous as 8 year-olds riding motorbikes with no adult supervision at all.

2 hours ago, loong said:

I was thinking much the same. A kid sitting on the parent's lap and steering a car is nowhere near as dangerous as 8 year-olds riding motorbikes with no adult supervision at all.

2 hours ago, loong said:

Nor do they have a licsense ( hahaha) or insurance . So when they f up they walk away and as minor cant be charged due to there age