Phuket court jails three ‘Dragon Heart’ members over street racing and fireworks
Three members of a group called Dragon Heart were sentenced after Wichit police linked them to street racing, fireworks and public disturbances in Phuket.
Phuket court has sentenced three members of a group calling itself “Dragon Heart” to prison after they were linked to street racing, fireworks and public disturbances in Wichit and Phuket town. Each was given a three-month sentence, reduced to one month and 15 days after guilty pleas, with no suspension of the sentence.
The three defendants, including the group’s leader, were all over 18, Wichit police said. They were accused of gathering to ride motorcycles, set off fireworks and firecrackers, make loud noises and race illegally on public roads.
The court ordered the three to be sent to Phuket Provincial Prison in Bang Jo and confiscated the motorcycles used in the offences. The charges included jointly encouraging or allowing children to engage in inappropriate or potentially criminal behaviour, street racing, driving without regard for the safety or inconvenience of others, creating excessive noise and setting off fireworks into the air.
The case followed the circulation of videos showing the alleged behaviour on social media, which raised concern about road safety, particularly ahead of Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival, when more residents and tourists travel in the area. Wichit police said the arrests and prosecution were part of a provincial “Arrest–Seize–Prosecute–Confiscate + Parents” operation and warned that further offenders could face prison. Parents or guardians who negligently allow children to become involved in offences could also be investigated, police said.
