Three Phuket street-racing gang members jailed over fireworks incident

A Phuket court has sentenced three adult members of the ‘Dragon Heart’ street-racing group to one month and 15 days in prison each after they pleaded guilty to offences linked to illegal racing and fireworks, Wichit Police said.

The Phuket Kwaeng Court initially imposed three-month prison terms before reducing them following the guilty pleas. The sentences were not suspended, and the court ordered the motorcycles used in the offences to be confiscated, according to Wichit Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang.

Police said the incident took place at about 1am on 10 October 2026, when officers received reports of fireworks being set off on the road in front of Phuket Provincial Hall. The area is surrounded by government offices and residential communities. Residents reportedly feared the fireworks could injure passing motorists, although no injuries were reported.

The group was also accused of racing motorcycles late at night from Suan Luang Park along Sakdidet Road and on the road outside the provincial hall. Police said the fireworks were set off outside a designated area and when no Vegetarian Festival procession was taking place.

Officers used CCTV footage to identify people involved and tracked the group to Suan Luang Park, where members had gathered, Pol Capt Rachata Phromkhun said.

Police accounts contain inconsistencies over the dates of the arrests and court proceedings, the number of juveniles prosecuted and the motorcycles involved. An initial account said investigators identified six people: three adults, one juvenile accused of an offence and two youths considered at risk because of their involvement in illegal street racing.

Wichit Police said four motorcycles were seized — two Honda PCX models and two Honda Giorno models — with two taken during the first operation and two during follow-up investigations. Pol Capt Rachata later said three motorcycles had been ordered confiscated by the court.

Police did not provide the full names of those involved, citing child and juvenile justice laws. Pol Capt Rachata identified the group leader only by the nickname ‘Ko Fuel’ and said he was 19. He said police had specifically targeted the leader because of his role and sought a court-issued arrest warrant.

Pol Capt Rachata said the case was intended to warn other youths that illegal racing and public disturbances could lead to criminal proceedings. Pol Col Somsak had previously said officers were tracking other groups suspected of similar behaviour and that parents or guardians could face legal scrutiny if children became involved in offences.

From 8 to 14 October 2026, Wichit Police seized 43 motorcycles and recorded 107 people as being at risk of becoming involved in offences. Police also imposed fines relating to 34 motorcycles and prosecuted 44 parents or guardians. A further nine parents or guardians were charged with inciting, encouraging or neglecting children and youths in ways that led them to engage in risky behaviour or commit offences.

In a separate case involving the ‘Bang Khonthi-Rawai’ gang, eight youths were prosecuted. The Juvenile and Family Court reportedly ordered them held in a juvenile detention centre and denied bail, Pol Capt Rachata said.