Cops bust large group of French motorbike racers in Patong

Motorbike racing tourists are once again causing a public nuisance in Thailand, this time in Patong.

Cops busted a large group of French motorbike racers in Patong on Wednesday night. Footage of the racers went viral on local social media platforms, causing outrage among residents.

The residents complained that the racers were disturbing them when they were trying to relax, and potentially posing a threat to the safety of the people. Most of the riders were not wearing the required protective motorcycle helmets as per Thai law, the residents added.

Patong Police Chief, Colonel Sujin Nilbodee, instructed the Patong Traffic Police to take action against the racers. As a result, the cops arrested 20 of the racers, and brought them to Patong Police Station for further proceedings, The Phuket Express reported.

It probably won’t surprise anyone that the racers had been in Patong on holiday. The racers’ names were not disclosed to the media and they did not issue any public statement regarding their actions.

Colonel Sujin stated that motorcycle rental operators should educate tourists to not engage in racing on the roads and cause a public nuisance. The Patong Traffic Police will increase its patrols to monitor and deter such behaviour in the area.

This is not the first time that motorbike racing tourists have made a scene in Thailand.

Between June and August last year, Middle Eastern joyriders turned several roads in Pattaya into racing tracks. The racers got in the way of Pattaya locals and other drivers near Second Pattaya Road, racing each other up and down Soi 18 at night time. A video shared on social media shows a large group of bikers zooming through the area.

On young Kuwaiti man who had allegedly been motorbike racing in Pattaya ended up losing his middle finger when he crashed.

On August 22, Pattaya police arrested 16 Middle Eastern joyriders and seized 43 motorcycles.