KOTA BARU: Many Malaysian drivers are not aware of traffic laws while driving in Thailand, which has resulted in their vehicles being clamped by the authorities.
Thailand Tourist Police (Seventh Region) deputy chief Lt Col Sakarin Anusaman Sakul said that action was taken against the Malaysian drivers because their vehicles obstructed traffic flow. He said that such incidents often occur in Hatyai, a popular tourist destination for Malaysians.
"Actually, many Malaysian drivers are not aware of the laws while holidaying in Thailand. For instance, they cannot simply park their vehicles wherever they like while in Hatyai. They must pay attention to the signboards placed by Thai authorities along the roadside.
"If they park in the wrong place or their vehicles block traffic flow, the traffic police will take action. If drivers are present in their vehicles, the traffic police will issue a summons on the spot. However, if the vehicle is left unattended, the officer will clamp the tyres.
"The officers will also take pictures of the offence as evidence. This is all stated in the rules," he said.
Sakarin said that Malaysian drivers can settle the summons or ask the police to remove the clamp at a nearby police station.
"What I want to stress is that the Thai traffic police will not take action unless the drivers have committed an offence. They must learn about the traffic laws while in Thailand to avoid getting into trouble," he added.
It was reported yesterday that the owner of a Malaysian-registered luxury vehicle has drawn criticism from netizens after a video of it being clamped by Thai authorities for illegal parking went viral.
The vehicle is believed to have blocked an intersection in the southern Thai border town of Hatyai.
A 24-second video of the incident was shared on TikTok by @diangsiam, and has garnered over 350,000 views and more than 11,000 likes.
Recorded from inside another vehicle, the footage shows the multi-purpose vehicle parked in front of a traffic light, obstructing a lane meant for left-turning vehicles.
A Thai police officer is seen clamping the front right tyre of the vehicle.