CHIANG MAI — Police officers investigated a case where video clips of a foreigner riding a motorcycle recklessly on the road up to Doi Suthep in Suthep Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, were widely circulated and criticized as unsafe and inappropriate.
On October 19, Chiang Mai tourist police officers, in cooperation with Phuping Ratchaniwet Police Station, tracked down and investigated the incident. They identified the man in the clip as Hugo, a 21-year-old French national. Officials located him at his accommodation in Suthep Subdistrict, Chiang Mai Province, along with the motorcycle and clothing worn on the day of the incident.
During questioning, the French tourist admitted that on the day of the incident, he drove to the Rincome Hotel intersection and met a group of motorcyclists. They invited each other to ride up Doi Suthep recklessly, intentionally performing the stunts seen in the video clips to entertain his group of friends.
However, when they reached Doi Suthep area, they found that the bike was running low on fuel, so they drove back down. Police officers then charged Hugo with driving without a license and reckless driving without regard for others’ safety.
Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuek-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, expressed concern about the driving behavior of tourists and the public, especially during the high season when there are many tourists.
He stated that if people witness tourists behaving inappropriately, they can report it to the tourist police 24 hours a day via the hotline 1155.
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