Pattaya Police Crack Down on Foreign Motorbike Racers

Pattaya –

The Pattaya City Police have cracked down on foreign motorbike racers and motorbike rental shops renting to foreigners without proper licenses and documentation.

Our prior story:

Pattaya residents and tourists have complained once again about noisy Arabian motorbike racers racing on the streets in the middle of the night.

Now for our update:

On Friday night around midnight (July 14^th) more than 50 officers led by the Acting Chonburi Provincial Police Commander Colonel Boonsarn Sinthong and the Pattaya City Police Chief Colonel Thanapong Poethi inspected roads where foreign motorbike racers allegedly gathered in large groups in the Pattaya area. Some of these are Soi Yensabai and Soi VC.

Colonel Boonsarn told the Pattaya News “We have immediately taken action after receivingd complaints from locals that many foreign motorbike racers have caused a public nuisance. Legal action will be taken against motorbike riders both Thai and foreigners if they are found commiting any illegal act.”

“We have also publicized to motorbike rental operators to check their customers for proper legal requirements. They must keep copies of their driving licenses and passports. They have to make sure that motorbike renters understand and follow traffic rules especially not to cause a public nuisance. Motorbike rental operators must provide helmets for customers. Modified motorbikes especially with loud exhaust pipes are illegal to use.” Colonel Boonsarn added.

“Most of the foreign motorbike racers are Kuwaiti youth aged 18-25. They are on vacation from school during July to August and come to Thailand in large groups for summer break.” Colonel Boonsarn explained.

“We have also resurveyed the numbers of motorbike rental shops as many of them were shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic and new shops have opened. Some of the newer ones may not be aware of the strict rules and regulations required under Thai law to rent motorbikes.” Colonel Boonsarn concluded.

The patrols and police presence led to dozens of foreigners, mostly Kuwaiti, coming out to the streets near Soi Yensabai where police were inspecting to listen to police who were announcing the rules in different languages on loudspeakers. Many applauded the police and some even posed for pictures and selfies. It was unclear, however, if the message being delivered would be heeded.