PHUKET, THAILAND – A viral video has ignited public fury after a child was filmed steering a car with an adult beside them on a busy road.
The clip, captured on the evening of June 9, shows a small child sitting on an adult’s lap while controlling the steering wheel of a moving vehicle. The car was observed weaving through traffic on the Chao Fa Road, prompting widespread criticism online.
For many viewers, the incident was not a harmless prank but a severe endangerment of public safety. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, eliciting strong reactions from concerned citizens.
Dangerous Joyride on Busy Main Street
At the wheel of the car was a foreign boy, estimated to be under ten years old. He was seated on an adult’s lap, gripping the steering wheel as the vehicle navigated the busy Chao Fa Road towards the Central Phuket intersection.
The adult passenger in the driver’s seat appeared to be assisting with the steering. This decision was widely condemned by commenters as reckless, given the road’s status as one of the island’s primary traffic arteries.
Witness Initially Thought Driver Was Drunk
The witness who recorded the video described the shocking moment. Initially, they only noticed the car swerving erratically, forcing other vehicles to brake sharply and maintain a safe distance.
Their first thought was that the driver might be intoxicated or completely inexperienced. It was only upon closer inspection that they saw the boy on the lap and understood the true cause of the dangerous weaving.
Online Outrage: “Where Is the Police?”
Following the clip’s publication by a local news outlet, online outrage intensified. Many users expressed disbelief that an adult would allow a child to steer on a public road.
The question, “Where is the police?” repeatedly surfaced, encapsulating the public’s sentiment. Commenters firmly placed responsibility on the guardians and demanded immediate intervention from the authorities.
Demand for Equality Under the Law
During the heated discussions, many users drew comparisons to other countries. In those nations, they argued, supervisors would face immediate legal consequences for such an incident.
They are pushing for equal treatment for both Thai nationals and foreign residents. Public roads, they contended, should not be used as practice grounds at the expense of everyone’s safety. Any accident could have harmed innocent bystanders.
Investigations So Far Unclear
It is currently unknown who the adult and child are. There is also no confirmed information regarding any official police action.
It remains unclear whether authorities have launched an investigation or if further measures are planned.