NONTHABURI — 14 Sep 2026, A BMW driver was found fast asleep behind the wheel while stopped at a red light in Nonthaburi after staying up late to watch the Manchester derby.
At 06:20, Pol. Lt. Col. Pariwat Soms-aad, traffic inspector at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station, went to check the scene after traffic officers reported that a BMW driver appeared to be unconscious inside the vehicle at the Rama 5 intersection on Phibulsongkram Road in Suan Yai subdistrict.
Police found a black BMW stopped in the middle lane, obstructing traffic. A man believed to be about 40 years old was asleep in the driver’s seat and did not respond despite officers repeatedly knocking on the window and trying to wake him for more than 20 minutes.
As traffic began to build up, officers feared the man could be suffering from a medical emergency or that the situation could pose a danger. They therefore called a tow truck to move the BMW to the traffic police booth at the Rama 5 intersection.
The driver eventually woke up after the vehicle had been towed and opened the door.
He told police that he had been exhausted after staying up late to watch the headline Premier League clash between Manchester United and Manchester City. The lack of sleep apparently caused him to become extremely tired while driving.
Fortunately, no accident occurred.
Pol. Lt. Col. Pariwat urged motorists to get enough rest before driving, warning that fatigue can put both drivers and other road users at risk.
The driver, identified only as Mr. A, was fined on two charges: stopping in a manner that obstructed traffic and driving with an expired licence. He was fined 2,000 baht for each offence, for a total of 4,000 baht, which he agreed to pay.
The traffic inspector also revealed that he is a Manchester United fan himself and had stayed up to watch the derby.
However, he said he stopped watching after Daro scored a header for Haaland, deciding the match was unlikely to go United’s way. He went to bed early so he could wake up and report for duty the next morning.
He ended by offering encouragement to fellow Manchester United fans, despite the team’s disappointing result.