A foreign motorcyclist, reportedly a Russian national, has faced backlash on social media after a video surfaced showing him damaging a rental motorcycle during an off-road riding attempt in Phuket.
The Phuket Times Facebook page shared the video today, May 11, detailing the incident involving a foreign rider on a rented motorcycle navigating an off-road track. The scooter, a Yamaha XMAX, was not equipped for such terrain.
In the footage, the foreign individual, dressed in white, was seen trying to ride the red motorcycle up a steep, rocky hill but failed to reach the summit. Another foreign man later joined him in an attempt to push the motorcycle uphill, but their efforts proved fruitless.
As the rider attempted to maneuver along a narrow part of the hill, he lost control, leading the motorcycle to tumble down the slope and sustain visible damage. Parts of the motorcycle were observed breaking off during the fall.
Several other foreign riders and motocross enthusiasts were present in the video, watching the situation unfold. At the conclusion of the clip, the rider displayed the damage to the motorcycle and the marks left on the dirt track from his attempts.
The Phuket Times also shared a screenshot of a conversation with the individual who uploaded the original video, in which he confirmed that the incident occurred in Phuket.
The video sparked criticism among Thai social media users, with many accusing the rider of reckless behavior and harming property that did not belong to him. Some commenters raised concerns about whether the foreign rider would compensate the rental business for the damage incurred.
Speculation arose regarding the possibility of the rider abandoning the damaged motorcycle before departing Thailand, as some claimed that numerous motorcycle rental businesses in tourist areas no longer keep tourists’ passports during rental agreements.
Several commenters urged police to investigate the matter and identify the rider involved. Currently, there have been no announcements from the police regarding action related to the incident, and the owner of the damaged motorcycle has yet to comment publicly.
Source: The Thaiger
