Russian driver fined B10,000 for taking pickup onto Bang Tao Beach

A Russian man has been fined B10,000 after driving a Ford Raptor onto a public area of Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay, police said.

Cherng Talay Police identified the driver as Nerses Gomtsian, 44, the registered owner of a white Ford Raptor with Phuket licence plates. The incident occurred at about 3:40pm on Oct 28 near the Dusit Thani hotel, after footage of the vehicle circulated on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Police said Gomtsian was summoned after an investigation and formally charged with causing a public nuisance through operating a vehicle in a public area. The fine was recorded under police case and fine record No. 7/70, dated Nov 1.