Thailand: Is Driving Through Water and Splashing Others Really Punishable by Law?

Thai PBS Verify found this post from Facebook

Thai PBS Verify found a post on Facebook stating that “driving through water and splashing people” risks a fine and imprisonment.

The post details are as follows.

This rainy season! Beware of driving through water and splashing people. Punishable by 1 year imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 baht.

What is the truth?

Thai PBS Verify found that the Ministry of Justice published a post regarding the law on driving in a manner that disregards the safety or bodily harm of others. This may fall under Section 43 in conjunction with Section 158/1 of the Road Traffic Act, carrying a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine of 5,000–20,000 baht, or both. Furthermore, if splashing water causes damage to another person’s property, it may constitute an offense of property damage, and compensation for damages may be claimed.

However, legal enforcement and compensation claims must be evaluated based on the specific facts and actual damage occurring in each case.

Driving Through Water and Splashing People: Is It Really Punishable by Law?

During the rainy season, driving through puddles of water causing it to splash onto other road users or pedestrians may create trouble and raise doubts over whether such behavior constitutes an offense under the law, and what affected individuals can claim, including after information regarding this issue was published and shared on social media.

Therefore, Thai PBS Verify verified the facts by searching keywords related to laws concerning driving through water and splashing others, as well as guidelines for claiming compensation. Thai PBS Verify found information from the Facebook page of tthe Ministry of Justice the Ministry Of Justice, Thailand, which published a post on February 27, 2026, regarding the law stating that driving through water and splashing others may fall under offenses according to the Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and its amendments, Section 43 in conjunction with Section 158/1; the Criminal Code, Section 358; the Civil and Commercial Code, Section 438; and may also constitute an offense under the Criminal Code on grounds of property damage, Section 358.

Specifying the details as follows.

Legal Knowledge: Driving Through Water and Splashing Others—Beware of Both Imprisonment and Fine

The Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and Its Amendments, Section 43 (in conjunction with Section 158/1): Whoever drives a vehicle in a manner that visibly disregards the safety or bodily harm of others shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine from 5,000 baht to 20,000 baht, or both. If the vehicle splashes water and damages property, the driver may be liable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code for property damage, punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

In addition, damaged parties can claim compensation from the vehicle owner if property is damaged from the vehicle splashing water. In this regard, according to the Civil and Commercial Code, Section 438, it specifies that the extent and manner of compensation to be awarded shall be determined by the court according to the circumstances and the gravity of the wrongful act.

Furthermore, information was also found from the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand, which published details regarding this case and confirmed it to be real news, stating that Driving through water and splashing others may be punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 1 year and a maximum fine of 20,000 baht

Legal Details: “What Are the Penalties for Driving Through Water and Splashing People?”

Regarding the Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and Its Amendments, Section 43 (in conjunction with Section 158/1): Whoever drives a vehicle in a manner that visibly disregards the safety or bodily harm of others shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine from 5,000 baht to 20,000 baht, or both

If property is damaged from the vehicle splashing water, the driver will fall under an offense according to the Criminal Code on grounds of property damage under Section 358, liable to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, or a fine not exceeding 60,000 baht, or both.

In cases where damaged parties claim compensation from the vehicle owner, if property is damaged from the vehicle splashing water, Section 438 of the Civil and Commercial Code specifies that the extent and manner of compensation to be awarded shall be determined by the court according to the circumstances and the gravity of the wrongful act.