Suspicious driving in Thailand


We’ve seen reports on different scams that have happened in Thailand, like fake eggs and medical test kits, and even fake police uniforms

Here’s another case that baffled Thai netizens. Recently, a driver was found driving a car with two license plates in what turned out to be a “hack” gone wrong.


Real license plate was hidden


Suspicious car in ThailandImage credit: เฮียขับรถ

On 15th September 2020, Facebook page เฮียขับรถ posted a picture of a car with 2 license plates, where one was hidden behind and another that had slipped off, revealing what was beneath.

Suspicious car in Thailand
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The picture came with a caption saying: “Buy a good glue. I recommend 3M products”. 

The post went viral, getting over 33K likes and 1.8K shares. There are tons of comments from Thai netizens making fun about how the plate was hanging precariously, saying that the car company might have offered 2 license plates for free as the car was so expensive. 

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: I recommend trying this way. It will never drop down for sure.

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: Buy 1 car, get 2 licence plates for free.

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: You had money to buy this expensive car but didn’t have enough for 3M tapes? 

However, many others took this seriously, debating whether the driver might have stolen it or used it for some illegal purposes. 

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: Don’t think that this is a funny or minor matter. It’s possible for many reasons, like stealing a car, making a fake document, or hiding it for illegal purposes. The Department of Land Transport should do something about this.


A less harmful plot twist revealed


One 31 Channel tried to dig out information after finding out about the incident and discovered that the car was used by a state officer and project director who was quite important in Prachinburi. 

After contacting him, the director refused to give much details but informed the media that the car was under a private corporate fleet and passed on their contact. This meant that the director was not the direct owner of the car, and was not the one driving it in the photo.

Suspicious car in Thailand
Image credit: Sumanus Titarkart

However, the number was wrong and they couldn’t make contact with the company, leaving the story on a cliffhanger for days.

On 17th September 2020, One 31 reported that they had received a call claiming to be from the corporate fleet who was responsible for providing state officers with vehicles to use while on duty. 

The company informed them that the license plate “4820” (the one above) was the old one that was deemed unlucky, and so they changed to “4568” instead while still keeping the old plate in the car. 

On that day the photo was taken, the company let a staff member bring the car out for a check, but he used it to pick up his girlfriend without permission instead. The staff then decided to stick the old plate over the new one in order to not get caught.

The caller also added that the company had contacted the guilty worker with regard to the incident.


Many people don’t believe the details


After the news was updated yesterday, there were different comments saying that this seemed quite strange and unclear as the contact number was not available in the first place, and also that the state officer refused to respond to questions. 

Moreover, some thought that the story was created as a cover up for something else. 

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: I hope this staff isn’t a scapegoat

Suspicious car in Thailand
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Translation: This was strange, or I thinking too much

There are no further updates on this story for now, so we’ve got another cliffhanger to deal with.

Let this be just a story of a bad employee and not something illegal or sinister! 


Featured image adapted from: เฮียขับรถ and Sumanus Titarkart

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