PATTANI, THAILAND – Residents along Route 43 in Pattani called for immediate intervention on 11 March after large groups of youths gathered at night for motorcycle races, heightening concerns over noise, traffic danger and reports of deaths and injuries.
Hundreds on Route 43
Locals reported that from around midnight nearly 500 people gathered in the Barahao subdistrict, parking their motorcycles along both sides of the road for a stretch of about 400 to 500 metres. According to residents, the racing intensified from about 1 a.m. and continued until roughly 4 a.m., effectively turning the road into an unofficial racetrack.
Modified exhausts and noise until morning
Many of the bikes were said by neighbours to be fitted with modified exhaust systems, creating a continuous and particularly loud noise level throughout the night. Witnesses at the scene observed that the group used one lane to test the motorcycles and the other lane for the actual acceleration races.
Spectators, minors and firecrackers
Along the road, numerous spectators lined up, who according to residents were mostly under 18 years of age. Firecrackers were repeatedly set off, which further fuelled the atmosphere and intensified the night-time disturbance.
<h3Sleepless nights for families and the sick
Those affected said the noise and late-night activity hit families with small children, older people and bedridden patients particularly hard, as they were unable to get enough sleep. In residential areas near the road, the gatherings were described as a recurring burden, because they did not occur only occasionally but appeared regularly during certain periods.
Danger for trucks and regular traffic
Trucks and other vehicles on Route 43 had to squeeze past crowds of people and parked motorcycles, which locals said significantly increased the risk of accidents. The situation became even more confusing because the use of the lanes as a test track and race strip turned the route into an obstacle course for normal traffic.
Ramadan pattern, races and suspected gambling
According to local accounts, the gatherings often took place every year during Ramadan and were frequently linked to races and gambling. There had recently been a serious collision between riders, in which three people were killed and more than ten others were injured.
Police intervene, but problem returns
Despite police measures and arrests, which were also reported by DailyNews, residents said the groups returned shortly after checks and the pattern repeated itself. They now called for more decisive action from the responsible authorities, warning that otherwise further victims were to be feared.
Parallel case in Phuket – tough controls at night
In Phuket, police meanwhile detained dozens of youths during night patrols carried out in connection with security measures for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Officers temporarily held 45 young people and seized 13 illegally modified motorcycles, which the authorities viewed as a contribution to road safety.