Thirty people were arrested and 28 modified cars and pickups seized when police raided an illegal street race on the Kanchanaphisek motorway early Friday.
A team of 40 highway police and Taling Chan officers blocked off the ad-hoc racetrack around 2.30am before the starting flag dropped. Eighteen racers and 12 of their companions were taken into custody.
Authorities used 10-wheeled trucks to block both ends of the motorway's express lanes between kilometres 23 and 27. One truck was sent to block vehicles near a U-turn bridge about 400 metres away from Samakhom Chao Paktai association, Thai media reported on Friday.
The operation managed to seize 28 modified vehicles, including 20 cars and eight trucks.
ตำรวจทางหลวงบางแค ร่วมกับ สน.ตลิ่งชัน จับแก็งค์ซิ่งกว่า 50 คน รถยนต์แต่งซิ่งร่วม 30 คัน https://t.co/jH2T3QxSgV pic.twitter.com/E9nt8VnAfE
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The youths have been charged with illegal racing on a public road and illegal modification of vehicles, said Pol Col Chakrit Mongkholsri, superintendent of Highway Police Division sub-division 8.
The 30 suspects were to undergo drug tests. Anyone tested positive for drug use would face legal action, said Pol Col Chakrit. Police would notify parents to acknowledge the behaviour of any underage youths apprehended.
The arrests were made following a tip-off that a group of teenagers were making an appointment online to race on Kanchanaphisek motorway on Saturday as part of New Year celebrations, said Pol Col Chakrit.