BANGKOK: Riding a motorised suitcase on public roads is illegal in Thailand because it does not qualify as a vehicle according to the law.
According to the Straits Times, Thailand's Traffic Police Division clarified on Friday that riding a motorised suitcase on public roads is illegal.
This was in response to a viral video that had sparked social media criticism earlier in the week.
The video, originally shared on the Facebook page Social Hunter 2022, showed a woman riding a motorised suitcase on the bustling Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok, near Don Mueang International Airport.
The woman was also seen using her mobile phone while gliding swiftly along the road, notably without a helmet.
The video quickly gained widespread attention, with netizens criticising her apparent disregard for safety.
"She is just focused on living life. Not on living", said user Kit Jung.
"This time it is a lesson. Next time it is a prayer", warned user Phatsakon Saengkaeo.
Some questioned why law enforcement officials did not intervene to prevent the potentially dangerous behaviour.
The police later explained that under the Vehicles Act and the Road Traffic Act of 1979, a suitcase did not qualify as a vehicle and could not be registered as one or legally operated on public roads.
They added that using a non-vehicle on public roads constitutes "blocking the traffic", which was a violation of the Road Traffic Act.
Further investigations by the traffic police revealed that the woman featured in the video was a Chinese tourist who departed Thailand on Aug 22.