British man charged in Phuket after letting 9-year-old son drive car

Wichit Police have charged a British man after identifying him as the driver seen allowing his 9-year-old son to control a car on a public road in Phuket.

Police confirmed on June 11 that they tracked down the driver after receiving reports about a video clip recorded on June 9 on Chao Fa West Road in front of the My Front Yard shop complex, near the intersection with Kwang Road.

According to Wichit Police Chief Col Somsak Thongkliang, the video showed a grey Honda City sedan being driven while a young boy sat on the driver's lap and appeared to be controlling the vehicle.

Police identified the driver as British national Mark Grant, who was driving the Phuket-registered Honda City. Investigators later found Mr Grant at his home in Chalong, where they also located the vehicle shown in the clip.

During questioning, Mr Grant admitted he was the man in the video and acknowledged that he had allowed his son to drive the car at the time the footage was recorded, police said.

Authorities seized the Honda City and took it to Wichit Police Station as evidence.

Police said the driving seen in the video, including swerving and sudden braking, posed a potential danger to other road users.

Mr Grant now faces charges of driving without due regard for the safety of others, allowing an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle, and permitting or encouraging inappropriate behaviour by a child under provisions of the Land Traffic Act, Vehicle Act and Child Protection Act.

Police said legal proceedings are continuing.