Russian driver on Santa’s naughty list for Xmas-lit car in Pattaya
In a merry mix-up fitting for the festive season, a Russian driver found himself in trouble with the law after transforming his sedan into a mobile Christmas light show in Pattaya.
Eager to embrace the holiday spirit, the Russian, Ivanov, decked out his grey sedan with a dazzling array of multi-coloured lights, only to be stopped in his tracks by local police.
The festivities came to a halt at precisely 6.01pm, yesterday, December 17, when reporters on the scene captured the moment Police Lieutenant Chaiyaphon Roy-U-Roy and his team, on a routine traffic inspection, encountered the vibrant vehicle cruising along Sukhumvit Pattaya towards Chaiyaphruek Intersection in Chon Buri Province.
Pulled over, a bewildered a 25 year old expat, was informed by the police that his decorative display was, in fact, illegal.
Under the impression that he was simply getting into the festive spirit like his friends in Bangkok, Ivanov explained that he was unaware of any prohibition against such vehicular flair.
To his surprise, he was promptly issued a ticket for “violating the law on accessories and the use of vehicle equipment not in accordance with regulations,” resulting in a 500 baht fine.
Despite the confusion, Ivanov quickly acknowledged the explanation provided by the police and accepted the fine.
“I only wanted to match the Christmas and new year celebration vibes.”
In light of the incident, Pattaya City Police Station issued a stern warning to the public, urging them to avoid decorating vehicles for fashion or festive purposes.
Such modifications, like adding reindeer antlers or installing flashy lights, can prove hazardous, potentially distracting other motorists and obscuring important signals like brake lights.
Channel 7 reported that these acts are considered offences under the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522, Section 12, together with Section 60, with fines reaching up to 2,000 baht.
In related news, earlier this week the Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a stern warning to drivers about Christmas-inspired vehicle decorations in ways that could potentially cause road accidents or endanger other road users.
RTP Deputy Spokesperson Siriwan Deepo announced on December 15, that National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet is deeply concerned about citizens’ safety and property. The police have observed an increasing trend of vehicle decorations that may violate traffic regulations and compromise road safety.
Specific decorations that pose risks include reindeer antlers extending beyond vehicle width and multi-coloured lights that could confuse other drivers. These embellishments can obstruct the clear visibility of vehicle signals and create potential hazards for road users.
