Foreigner condemned for driving car on Kamala Beach in Phuket

Residents of Phuket and Thai internet users expressed outrage towards a foreigner who disregarded warnings from lifeguards and vendors by driving a sedan on Kamala Beach.

A Thai individual shared a video on Facebook showing a black sedan, a Toyota Camry Hybrid, driving on Kamala Beach 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 depicted a foreign driver navigating along the beach, with sea water washing over the sand. Passengers in the car were observed opening windows to take in the surroundings.

In the back seat, one passenger appeared to be conversing with a lifeguard in a yellow shirt, though their dialogue remained inaudible in the footage.

Superintendent Somsak Thongkiang of Kamala Police Station informed ThaiRath that officers had reviewed 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.

Many Thai internet users voiced criticism of the incident in the comment sections and news reports.

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

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

“Let’s check 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 cars on beaches is prohibited in Thailand for the safety of motorists and environmental preservation. While authorities had not clarified the penalty for violating this rule, 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 occurred on Kamala Beach in March when a Chinese national drove a green Jeep onto the beach and got the vehicle stuck in the sand. A witness stated that the Chinese tourist showed no remorse for causing trouble to locals and the rescue team, even turning up the volume on the music while waiting for assistance.