Gangs of Arab bikers causing a nuisance
PUBLISHED : 8 Aug 2023 at 04:00
Chon Buri: Police are stepping up efforts to curb illegal street racing by a group of Arab tourists on motorbikes following complaints from residents and other visitors in Pattaya.
Pol Col Thanapong Photi, chief of Pattaya City police station, met with authorities and motorbike rental business operators yesterday to discuss what measures to take to curb the foreign motorbike racers who are turning certain sois into race tracks at night, disturbing the peace and potentially posing a threat to public safety.
Pol Lt Col Arut Sapanont, head of traffic police, said officers have been deployed to enforce the law following complaints.
Pol Lt Col Arut added that they are also seeking cooperation from motorbike rental businesses, which have been told to thoroughly check their customers’ passports and driving licences and keep copies for further examination.
However, he said some tourists without licences often get someone else to rent the bikes for them.
Pol Lt Col Arut, who on Sunday night led a group of police to enforce traffic regulations on Soi 18, said that checkpoints would be set up at locations where the motorbike riders are known to gather for illegal activities.
When making arrests, police will issue two separate tickets, he said.
One is against the riders who face charges ranging from not wearing helmets, driving without a valid licence, and using vehicles with unauthorised modifications such as loud exhaust pipes.
The other is for the seizure of the motorbikes used in the illegal street racing, with the motorbike rental businesses or motorbike owners being liable for a 2,000-baht fine, he said.
Illegal street races by Arab tourists drew wide attention when residents in Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya alerted police to a gathering of theirs in the early hours of July 31.
When police responded to the call, they found a group of Arab motorbike riders had converged on the area and were blocking traffic. Police told them to disperse and confiscated 15 motorbikes when they ignored the warning.
Staff from a hotel in the area said several guests had moved out because they could not stand the loud noise late at night.