PATTAYA — Despite a recent campaign to warn Kuwaiti motorcyclists on Friday, early Saturday morning, Pattaya City Police Station received reports of 50 Kuwaiti teenage motorcyclists fighting with a group of Thai teenagers.
The incident occurred in Soi Yen Sabai, South Pattaya, Moo 10, Nongprue Subdistrict, Banglamung District, Chonburi Province. After receiving the report, police and the Sawang Boriboon Foundation rushed to the scene. They found several injured Kuwaiti nationals and provided first aid before transferring them to nearby hospitals.
Pattaya City Police intervened, causing both sides to disperse and flee, with some abandoning their motorcycles, which were then seized by the police.
Local residents reported that the incident started when a Thai man riding a motorbike was cut off by a group of Kuwaiti teenagers on motorcycles. The Thai man then followed and slapped one of the teenagers, angering the Kuwaiti group who then chased the Thai man with their friends, leading to the brawl. When officials arrived, both sides fled.
Officials noted that over the past two to three years, young Kuwaiti chose Pattaya as their preferred destination during their summer high-school break and would stay from July to August. They often gather to race in South Pattaya, leading to frequent complaints from residents and tourists about reckless driving and loud exhaust noise.
On August 2, Pol. Col. Nawin Theerawit, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, led a team to set up checkpoints to prevent and warn foreign groups who ride motorcycles repeatedly, honk horns, and rev engines loudly, disturbing local residents.
Checkpoints were set up at the entrance and exit of Soi Yen Sabai, South Pattaya. The operation focused on public relations, warning about driving behavior, prohibiting reckless driving, revving engines, and making loud noises. They also searched for illegal items such as drugs and firearms.
Additionally, they informed rental operators that they must comply with the law by checking tourists’ driving licenses before renting vehicles and ensuring that the vehicles have not been illegally modified. This is to maintain order and enforce the law.
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