KUALA LUMPUR – 10 Malaysian tourists have been fined and issued a public apology to residents of Hat Yai, Thailand, yesterday, after being caught racing modified vehicles and causing noise disturbances during their weekend trip.
The group, comprising individuals aged between 21 and 25, was reported to have entered Hat Yai on the night of May 16 in six Malaysian-registered sedans.
Witnesses reported the vehicles racing side by side at high speeds on Kanchanawanit Road, revving their engines and blocking lanes in front of the Green Way Market around 1am (local time), Khaosod English reported.
Complaints poured in from residents of Hat Yai city and the neighbouring Kho Hong subdistrict, citing loud exhaust noise and road obstruction.
Responding to the reports, Kho Hong police, in coordination with tourist and traffic officers, reviewed CCTV footage and tracked down the group by 11am on May 17 (yesterday). All six vehicles and their occupants were detained.
They were fined under Thai traffic laws and received a briefing on local regulations with the assistance of an interpreter.
In a show of remorse, the group performed the traditional Thai “wai” gesture and publicly apologised to Hat Yai residents for the nuisance caused.
“We sincerely apologise and promise not to repeat this behaviour,” one of them said during the session.
The group, both male and female, were found to have committed four traffic offences: reckless driving, obstructing traffic, illegal vehicle modifications, and using incomplete or non-compliant vehicle equipment.
Following the legal proceedings, local media reported that the group departed for Malaysia, concluding their three-day trip.
Hat Yai police have since urged tourists to respect local laws, particularly those travelling from neighbouring Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Police commander of Kho Hong station Apichat Wannako called on tour operators to brief travellers thoroughly on Thai traffic regulations before entering the country.
Hat Yai, a city near the Malaysia-Thailand border, continues to attract millions of Malaysians each year, with nearly half entering via the Sadao Checkpoint.
Malaysia also remains Thailand’s top source of tourists in 2024, with 4.43 million Malaysians visiting the neighbouring country. – May 18, 2025