In the southern province of Phang Nga, a scene unfolded on Sunday, May 26, reminiscent of an action movie gone awry. A foreign couple touring the scenic lands in a sprightly grey BMW found themselves embroiled in an unexpected misadventure that played out on the bustling Khok Kloi–Phuket Road. As the golden sun rose in the late morning, the tranquility was shattered when the BMW crashed into a road construction vehicle, careening wildly into a bystander’s car parked by the Khok Kloi Bus Terminal. The incident occurred at approximately 11:25 AM and became a spectacle of both folly and chaos.
Reports noted that both individuals inside the car were evidently under the influence, their state suggesting a revelry taken too far. Witnesses reported their staggering attempts to flee the scene, but their drunken escapade was cut short by attentive bystanders who swiftly alerted the police. The events unfolded with the swift efficiency of a well-rehearsed drama, but this was no stage play. Five officers arrived promptly and began their investigation, uncovering not just the tangled wreckage but also an audacious attempt by the man behind the wheel to bribe his way out of trouble. A sum of 10,000 baht was allegedly offered to the officers in a bid to sweep the incident under the rug, but the law enforcement officials, embodying unyielding integrity, refused the bribe and took the couple under their charge.
The couple was then escorted to the local Khok Kloi Police Station, where the wheels of justice spun into motion. Although the police kept a tight lid on the suspect’s blood alcohol level and the impending legal consequences, the possibilities loomed ominously. The driver might face charges under Section 78 of the Land Transport Act, a legal quagmire that could see him imprisoned for up to three months or facing fines between 2,000 and 10,000 baht. And if the intoxicating spirits were indeed flowing through his veins during the incident, he might find himself further mired in charges under Section 43(2) for drunk driving, potentially extending his woes to a year behind bars and heftier fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 baht.
In a twist of fate echoing the tales of April, last month witnessed another foreign national’s misadventure with a BMW in Phuket. This time, a British man veered off Kwang Road, his vehicle crashing into a roadside eatery during the early hours. His explanation? A feline, perhaps oblivious of the chaos it had set in motion, had darted across his path, compelling him to swerve dramatically. Yet, while he and his companion escaped with mere scratches, the full picture remains obscured as the CCTV evidence and his sobriety test results were not disclosed.
This vivid tableau of mishaps unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Phang Nga, a place known for its tourist charms rather than unexpected vehicular antics. As the dust settled on the chaos of the road, the incident served as a stark reminder of the perils that even paradise must sometimes endure. The Khok Kloi Bus Terminal stands witness to yet another episode in Thailand’s rich tapestry of stories, where the allure of wanderlust meets the stern face of legal reality.
Honestly, tourists should be more responsible! They come here for fun, but they’re putting everyone else at risk.
Yeah, but accidents can happen even if you’re sober. It’s not about blaming all tourists.
True, but driving drunk is a conscious decision. They endangered lives, no excuses.
Same old story… foreigners feel untouchable because they’re tourists.
Exactly, there has to be stricter enforcement regardless of tourism revenue.
This kind of behavior gives all tourists a bad name. I hope they face the appropriate consequences.
Agreed, they shouldn’t get a free pass. But not every tourist is like this.
True, most are respectful, but the bad ones get all the attention.
Maybe locals should stop renting luxury cars to tourists who clearly can’t handle them.
But not every tourist causes problems. The economy relies on this.
Still, there needs to be better vetting. Safety first, profit second.
Could this be a wake-up call for stricter DUI laws in tourist-heavy areas?
That, or could it just be a one-off incident being blown out of proportion?
Maybe, but prevention is better than cure, isn’t it?
To be fair, not all tourists come to get wasted. There’s plenty who respect the culture and laws.
I agree, but how do we identify the ones who won’t?
It seems they learned nothing from the last BMW fiasco. Is this deja vu or bad luck?
Perhaps BMWs are the common factor! Just kidding, but seriously, it’s carelessness.
What’s with the obsession with BMWs anyway? Just trying to show off, I suppose.
For some, a fancy car is part of the travel experience. But yeah, it can go to their heads.
Bribery at its finest! Glad to see corruption didn’t win here.
Imagine being that couple! Must have been terrifying for all involved.
Thailand has always been seen as a party destination. This comes with the territory, sadly.
Sometimes I wonder if incidents like these discourage tourism. It’s a double-edged sword.