A Thai tourist has been fined after reportedly ignoring a lifeguard's warning and driving a car along Phuket's Kamala beach.
A video of his escapade was posted on social media on Monday, and sparked outrage. Many people assumed the man behind the wheel was a foreigner and severely criticised him.
Police said the motorist was a Thai man they identified only as Prasopchok, 39. He owned a convenience store in Bangkok and was holidaying in Phuket with his family. The man had been charged with reckless driving and fined 1,000 baht.
Mr Prasopchok had told police that he thought driving on the beach was allowed. He went to Phuket with his two children and wanted them to get a close-up view of the sea at Kamala beach.
He also expressed his regrets over the incident, police said.
The Phuket News reported that a lifeguard had approached the car and signalled the driver to leave the area, but was ignored.
