A British woman has issued a warning to holidaymakers after being fined for parking her car the 'wrong way' in Thailand. Janelle Brown was hit with a hefty charge for a simple mistake when she parked against the curb in Phuket, the only available spot near the beach.
The Fine and the Rule
The parking cost her £52 (2,000 baht) because her vehicle was not facing the correct direction relative to the traffic flow. At first, Janelle was baffled. 'I was confused as to why I was fined,' she said. 'The officer explained that it is a law but not something that is usually enforced. I wasn’t aware that Thailand had this rule.'
Janelle, who runs an online marketing agency and a beauty salon in Phuket, shared her experience online, noting that she had never heard of the rule before. To her surprise, she later learned that a similar regulation exists in the UK.
UK Highway Code Rule 239
In the United Kingdom, Highway Code rule 239 states: 'Do not park facing against the traffic flow.' Breaking this rule can result in varying penalties, ranging from a £1,000 fine up to disqualification and imprisonment, depending on the specific violation.
Janelle said: 'I was in Phuket and parked across the road from the beach. It was the only parking space on the road. The fine was 2,000 baht and my wheel was clamped. I had to go to the police station to pay the fine.'
Advice for Travellers
She now advises Brits to check the local rulebook before renting a car abroad. 'Driving abroad means there are different rules than what there is in the UK. But apparently this is also a law in the UK – but not one that people usually get fined for.'
Janelle’s experience serves as a reminder that parking regulations can differ significantly between countries, and even familiar rules may be enforced more strictly overseas.
