A British woman has issued a warning to travelers after receiving a parking fine in Thailand for a rule she had never encountered, which also applies in the United Kingdom. Janelle Brown was penalized 2,000 baht (£45) plus additional costs for parking her vehicle against the curb on a beach road in Phuket.
An Unexpected Fine
Janelle, who runs an online marketing agency and a beauty salon in Phuket, explained that she parked in what she believed was the only available spot near the beach. However, she was soon confronted with a fine because her car was not facing the correct direction.
“I was confused as to why I was fined,” Janelle said. “The office explained that it is a law but not something that’s usually enforced. I wasn’t aware that Thailand had this rule.”
Unheard of Rule
Janelle shared her experience online, claiming she had never heard of such a regulation. She was later informed that a similar rule exists in the UK, though it is rarely enforced. In the United Kingdom, Highway Code rule 239 states: “Do not park facing against the traffic flow.”
Penalties in the UK
Breaking Highway Code Rule 239 can result in varying penalties depending on the specific violation. These range from a £1,000 fine to disqualification and imprisonment in severe cases.
Advice for Travelers
Janelle advises Brits to check local driving rules before renting a car abroad. “Driving abroad means there’s 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,” she said.
The incident serves as a reminder for motorists to familiarize themselves with traffic regulations, both at home and overseas, to avoid unexpected fines.
