HAT YAI, Thailand – A dispute over traffic fines issued to Malaysian motorcyclists has drawn attention to enforcement practices in this southern border city, after a viral social media post accused police of unfairly targeting foreign tourists, though authorities have since defended their actions as routine and lawful. Senior Sergeant Major Weerasak Phansalaeman, a traffic officer with Hat Yai Police, explained that the group of 17 Malaysian motorcycles was stopped after officers noticed several bikes with modified flashing rear lights and excessively loud exhausts as they passed the police station.

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The motorcyclists were escorted to the police station for document and equipment checks, with nine motorcycles found to have committed traffic violations. Police issued nine tickets totaling 12,000 baht, a figure lower than the 15 tickets and 15,000 baht claimed in the Facebook post that had called for a boycott of Hat Yai. Individual fines ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 baht depending on the severity of each offense.

The viral Facebook account had alleged that a single officer spent nearly three hours inspecting the group, that riders were threatened with detention if fines were not settled quickly, that their exhausts were factory-installed, and that digital driving licenses were not accepted. The officer refuted these claims, maintaining that procedures were followed correctly and that all regulations were clearly communicated to the visitors.

SONGKHLA – A Thai police officer targeted by a Malaysian biker who called on followers to boycott Thailand after he and his friends were pulled over and ticketed for a range of offences in Hat Yai has defended his actions, insisting he was only doing his legal duty.

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He explained that exhaust noise levels were measured using certified equipment, with permissible limits set by vehicle registration year. For motorcycles registered before 2024, the maximum allowed is 95 decibels, while those registered from January 1, 2024 onward must not exceed 90 decibels, with a small allowance provided for vehicles with factory plates. The officer emphasized that visitors should familiarize themselves with Thai traffic laws, as home-country standards do not apply when riding in Thailand.

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Despite the initial tension, the situation resolved amicably after fines were paid, with group members taking photos with the officer and even requesting that he share a video of the encounter on his personal Facebook page. The officer acknowledged concerns about the impact on tourism but stressed that law enforcement must remain consistent and impartial, expressing confidence that most tourists comply with regulations and that the incident would not harm Hat Yai’s reputation as a welcoming destination for Malaysian visitors.

-Thailand News (TN)