Thai man, not foreigner, fined for driving sedan on Kamala Beach

A motorist who flouted the rules by driving a black sedan on Kamala Beach in Phuket yesterday was a Thai man, not a foreigner, contrary to initial assumptions. He received a fine of 1,000 baht for his action.

A local in Phuket posted a video of a black Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan on Kamala Beach on Facebook yesterday, April 1, and claimed that the driver was a foreigner. He and other Thai netizens complained that the driver was another foreign tourist who disregarded Thai laws and caused trouble in the community.

A recent report on ThaiRath revealed that the driver of the sedan was actually a local, not a foreigner as the netizens anticipated.

According to the report, the 39 year old driver, Prasopchok Tamwong, surrendered at Kamala Police Station at 11am today, April 2. He told police that he felt guilty for violating the law and claimed that he was unaware that cars were prohibited from driving on beaches.

Prasopchok explained that he, his wife, and their two children were visiting Phuket from their home in Bangkok and were staying at a hotel on Patong Beach. He drove the sedan along the beach road so his children could enjoy the atmosphere

He noticed a pickup truck carrying a jet ski on the beach and decided to do the same, assuming all types of vehicles were allowed on the beach. He drove closer to the seawater, intending for his children to enjoy the trip.

“I feel sorry for what I have done. Many friends sent me the video and informed me about the issue after seeing it on social media. I would like to apologise to both the police officers and the locals in Phuket.”

As a consequence of his actions, Prasopchok was fined 1,000 baht for reckless driving, which could endanger others and their property.

Despite his apology, criticism on social media persisted. Many netizens saw Prasopchok’s statement as an excuse, while others suggested he simply walk his children on the beach to enjoy the atmosphere. Some also argued that the fine imposed seemed too lenient for his violation.

ORIGINAL STORY: Foreigner condemned for driving car on Kamala Beach in Phuket

Phuket residents and Thai netizens condemned a foreigner for ignoring warnings from lifeguards and vendors and driving a sedan on Kamala Beach.

A Thai man shared the video of a black sedan, a Toyota Camry Hybrid, on Kamala Beach on Facebook yesterday, April 1.

“Foreign tourists cause trouble every day! A foreign tourist, of unidentified nationality, driving a sedan on Kamala Beach this morning. He even drove it into the seawater. Vendors and lifeguards had to intervene. If it is a rental car, the car owner will have to pay a lot for repairs.”

The video showed a foreign motorist driving along the beach, where the sea water washed over the sand. Passengers in the car were seen opening the windows to soak in the atmosphere. In the back seat, one passenger appeared to be talking with a lifeguard in a yellow shirt, although their dialogue remained inaudible in the footage.

Superintendent Somsak Thongkiang of Kamala Police Station informed ThaiRath that officers had viewed the video and intended to examine security camera footage from the area to identify the occupants of the car. However, Somsak noted that the police had yet to confirm whether the vehicle belonged to the foreigners or car rental businesses.

Foreigner criticised

Many Thai netizens flooded the comment section and news reports about this incident.

“How to make the most of the rental car…”

“This is the result of weak and unclear laws.”

“Let’s check on Hua Hin Beach, Kao Takiab Beach, Sun Son Beach, and Khao Tao Beach. Cars were driven on the beach just like a main road.”

“This country is where money is everything.”

“Let it be stuck in the sand for a month.”

“Thai police really respect foreigners.”

Driving or parking a car on beaches is prohibited in Thailand, both for the safety of motorists and the environmental resources.

The authorities had not yet clarified the penalty for the violation of this rule, but a Thai man faced five years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht for driving on a beach in the southern province of Trang.

A similar incident on Kamala Beach was reported in March when a Chinese national drove a green Jeep on the beach and ended up getting the car stuck in the sand.

A Thai man who witnessed the incident added that the Chinese tourist did not show any remorse for causing trouble to locals and the rescue team and even turned up the volume on the music while waiting for assistance.