Online Fame, Offline Danger — Viral racing clips fuel the thrill, but locals warn silence from authorities puts lives at risk. PATTAYA, Thailand – Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya has morphed into a noisy, high-speed racetrack after dark, as gangs of street racers—known locally as “dek waen”—tear through the city in packs, creating deafening noise and sparking fears of serious accidents. Residents say the racing begins late at night and stretches through the early morning hours, leaving many unable to sleep and frustrated by the apparent lack of police enforcement. Locals have taken to social media to vent their anger and exhaustion, describing the chaotic scenes that unfold nightly. The sounds of roaring engines, revving at intersections, and groups of motorcycles racing in loops from Pattaya to Nongprue and back again have become routine. Some say the racers blast through red lights and treat major roads like Sukhumvit, Jomtien Second Road, and even Thappraya Road as circuits, sometimes looping under the cover of darkness with no helmets, no plates, and no concern for safety. Residents say even the Arab biker gangs have joined the fray, with sightings of foreign riders running lights near the intersection on Thappraya Road. Others joke bitterly that they’ve become so used to the chaos that they just steer out of the way, while some truck drivers openly admit they won’t brake if a racer cuts in front of them. Calls for stricter enforcement are growing louder, with many questioning where the police are as racers blaze past checkpoints unchallenged. Some locals say the situation is so predictable that they even have nicknames for hotspots—like “Wat Boon Circuit”—where nightly drag races and U-turn stunts are all but guaranteed. The city’s tolerance is wearing thin. While video clips of the racers spread online and add to the notoriety, residents warn that the longer the law turns a blind eye, the more dangerous the streets will become. What many once laughed off as teenage thrills is now being seen as a serious public safety issue—one that may end in tragedy if left unchecked. Pattaya City Police have firmly stated they will not allow such reckless behavior to endanger residents or tourists. Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious activity or racing-related incidents by calling the emergency hotline at 191 or 082-7999-111. For incidents in the Sattahip area, reports can also be made directly to the Sattahip Police Station at 038-438183.