News Forum - Police bust foreign drivers, motorbike rentals

[Thaiger]

After a recent disturbance involving a group of unruly French motorbike drivers, Police in Patong are taking steps to curb irresponsible driving by foreigners. They are going after the drivers themselves as well as the rental companies that allow foreigners to hire motorbikes without properly vetting them. The crackdown is part of an ongoing effort …

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[Grumpish]

Might help with foreign drivers - but just a drop in the ocean compared to the sea of homicidal and suicidal Thai bike riders. 

[harry1]

has been going on for years,rental shop hiring out bikes to foreigner without a drivers license ? just using passport in case they flee the country. non insured due to no license,  l seen many tourist shaking and petrified driving a scooter,if they want to kill themselves ,up to them, but stop killing others. Time for the police to prosecute these rental businesses it will saves someone life 

[Viggen840]

Love the use of the phrase "irresponsible driving by foreigners". Yes, idiots will jump on a bike that they rent illegally, but how about the RESIDENT idiots who seem to think that Buddha will protect them regardless of whether they look after their own wellbeing or not? Perhaps if the police started being visible and cracking down on ALL unlicensed riders/drivers (including the drivers who are convinced their blood will boil if they travel more than 40kph) instead of just setting up traps for helmet infringements it would be a start.

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

3 hours ago, Viggen840 said:

Perhaps if the police started being visible and cracking down ……

Visible, when escorting Chinese tourists who have paid handsomely for their privilege & cracking down when extorting ALL tourists whom fall under their gaze. So Yes they are visible and cracking down.

[Soidog]

Yet another divisive article picking out foreigners. It seems all Thai media, including this one, feels obliged to write a headline reminding people there are Thais and then there are foreigners. Perhaps it’s the law if you want a media license?   

[palooka]

9 hours ago, Grumpish said:

Might help with foreign drivers - but just a drop in the ocean compared to the sea of homicidal and suicidal Thai bike riders. 

There is a minor hope of saving foreign lives.

Sorry no hope with the Thais.

[Pinga]

5 hours ago, Soidog said:

Yet another divisive article picking out foreigners. It seems all Thai media, including this one, feels obliged to write a headline reminding people there are Thais and then there are foreigners. Perhaps it’s the law if you want a media license?   

To be fair, Patong this time of year is full of obnoxious French/Algerian/etc who constantly cause trouble, fight, and drive their bikes dangerously (not to mention drunk or worse). Thais in Patong in comparison drive safely - and that's saying a lot.

As for the police - "between 7.30pm and 10.30pm" - are they serious about this? who are they gonna catch? the worst offenders drive around 11pm-1am and 3-7am. Make it a whole night thing and they'll arrest hundreds, not a handful...

[RNikoley]

This will be great for tourism. (I'm an expat with valid Thai licenses.)

I know Thais all over Thailand who have NEVER had a driver's license (they typically get one once they can finance a car...they can finance motorbikes without). Many don't have current registrations (tax) either.

Many don't wear helmets.

Many have their tiny children on motorbikes with zero protective dear.

Many drive with a death wish, just hoping they stay lucky.

But it's all the [tourist] farang spending billions of baht...

Much like that C malady. Thailand's whole problem was farang not wearing masks.

...I suppose this is all just what many Thais want to hear, a good excuse for when "luck" changes.

 

[Viggen840]

12 hours ago, Pinga said:

the worst offenders drive around 11pm-1am and 3-7am

You jest, of course! If Patong is the same as my area, the boys in brown are safely tucked away in their stations swilling from their own little brown bottles at that time.

[Viggen840]

On 2/11/2023 at 10:48 AM, harry1 said:

Time for the police to prosecute these rental businesses it will saves someone life

Not just prosecute - sieze the businesses (look at that as just another brown envelope) and award serious time behind bars. Get the message out there that the practice won't be tolerated - nation-wide.

[Seeall]

On 2/11/2023 at 11:19 AM, Viggen840 said:

Love the use of the phrase "irresponsible driving by foreigners". Yes, idiots will jump on a bike that they rent illegally, but how about the RESIDENT idiots who seem to think that Buddha will protect them regardless of whether they look after their own wellbeing or not? Perhaps if the police started being visible and cracking down on ALL unlicensed riders/drivers (including the drivers who are convinced their blood will boil if they travel more than 40kph) instead of just setting up traps for helmet infringements it would be a start.

Come on, its all about cash... nothing else....  and dead wood pretending to do their jobs....

[Seeall]

3 hours ago, RNikoley said:

This will be great for tourism. (I'm an expat with valid Thai licenses.)

I know Thais all over Thailand who have NEVER had a driver's license (they typically get one once they can finance a car...they can finance motorbikes without). Many don't have current registrations (tax) either.

Many don't wear helmets.

Many have their tiny children on motorbikes with zero protective dear.

Many drive with a death wish, just hoping they stay lucky.

But it's all the [tourist] farang spending billions of baht...

Much like that C malady. Thailand's whole problem was farang not wearing masks.

...I suppose this is all just what many Thais want to hear, a good excuse for when "luck" changes.

 

not worth the trouble if they no cash to pay.. get with the program...

[DeChrisDeFrance]

13 hours ago, Pinga said:

To be fair, Patong this time of year is full of obnoxious French/Algerian/etc who constantly cause trouble, fight, and drive their bikes dangerously (not to mention drunk or worse). Thais in Patong in comparison drive safely - and that's saying a lot.

As for the police - "between 7.30pm and 10.30pm" - are they serious about this? who are they gonna catch? the worst offenders drive around 11pm-1am and 3-7am. Make it a whole night thing and they'll arrest hundreds, not a handful...

 

I must agree with this point "Patong this time of year is full of obnoxious French/Algerian/etc who constantly cause trouble, fight, and drive their bikes dangerously". I was living/working over 10 years on Phuket and it is now even worse because you will have this so called French (I'm French too) from North Africa coming in mass during the green season as it is holiday in France and spending their mostly illegal earned money.

They are a real danger for everyone and trouble makers like back in France. 

I don't see this story as an attacking article against foreigners and tourists because the main topic is the arrest of the "French" street racers.

I think it would be a good idea from the Thai government to propose to tourists to buy for reasonable fee a temporary  Thai driving allowance at the airports or entry points by showing their driving license......and it will surely work and bring a great income....

 

[Seeall]

2 minutes ago, DeChrisDeFrance said:

I must agree with this point "Patong this time of year is full of obnoxious French/Algerian/etc who constantly cause trouble, fight, and drive their bikes dangerously". I was living/working over 10 years on Phuket and it is now even worse because you will have this so called French (I'm French too) from North Africa coming in mass during the green season as it is holiday in France and spending their mostly illegal earned money.

They are a real danger for everyone and trouble makers like back in France. 

I don't see this story as an attacking article against foreigners and tourists because the main topic is the arrest of the "French" street racers.

I think it would be a good idea from the Thai government to propose to tourists to buy for reasonable fee a temporary  Thai driving allowance at the airports or entry points by showing their driving license......and it will surely work and bring a great income....

too hard... easier to grab some tea money when needed... its the way it is....

[Peter44]

It would be nice to know how many Thai drivers were arrested/fined for drivning without a license/helmet...

My Guess is none - a great shame! 

[Soidog]

11 minutes ago, Peter44 said:

It would be nice to know how many Thai drivers were arrested/fined for drivning without a license/helmet...

My Guess is none - a great shame! 

You’re not suggesting police profiling are you? I mean, that would be discrimination. Surely everyone is treated equally under the law?
 

I’m never sure if foreigners are seen as Visitors, Guests or an inconvenient nuisance? I’m sure two years of near zero tourism and the impact on the economy will have resulted in Thais learning a lot