Police bust foreign drivers, motorbike rentals

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 to improve road safety in the area and reduce the number of accidents and public disturbances caused by unlicensed drivers. It was initiated after 20 French motorbike racers were arrested for causing a public disturbance.

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.

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.

Now the crackdown continues, with the Patong Police taking action against motorbike rental operators who allow foreign tourists to rent vehicles without a valid driving license. The operators have been fined 1,000 baht each for their actions.

Police stated that the operators were in violation of the law for allowing individuals without a driving license to rent their motorbikes. Legal action will be taken against them. The police have not released the names of the operators but have warned that proper rental procedures must be followed.

Also part of the crackdown on problem foreign drivers, Thursday night between 7.30pm and 10.30pm, the Patong Police carried out a large operation in which they arrested 39 foreign motorbike drivers for not wearing helmets, 44 for lacking a driving license, and 8 for jumping red-lights. 15 rental motorbikes were seized as a result.

Foreign tourists are advised to obtain a valid driving license before renting a motorbike in Patong. Additionally, they should also follow all traffic laws and regulations, such as wearing a helmet, observing traffic signals, and driving at a safe speed.

The police hope that this crackdown and these arrests serve as a warning to other operators and foreign tourists who might be tempted to flout the rules about driving motorbikes in Thailand.