Cops charge ‘My Mate Nate’ over YouTube rail coins clip
Police briefly detained and charged notorious YouTube prankster Nathan Bartling, known as “My Mate Nate”, yesterday with trespassing on railway land and damaging railway property by placing coins on a rail track for trains to run over.
The legal action came after Mr Bartling posted a video on his YouTube channel “My Mate Nate” on July 16 in which he claimed he set out to test the durability of coins from several countries by placing them on railway tracks so trains would run over them.
The video sparked widespread criticism accusing Mr Bartling of reckless behaviour, setting a bad example for youngsters and showing no regard for train passenger safety. He later removed the video.
Though Mr Bartling yesterday formally apologised for his act saying his only intention was to test the coins’ strength, authorities are considering pressing more charges under the Criminal Code.
It is not the first time the American has found himself in the spotlight. Among his videos have been one making fun of the English skills of Thais and another showing a cat being made to fight a scorpion.
A campaign has also been organised to have him expelled from Thailand following several incidents that had sparked criticism from many Thais.
So far, the 24-year-old American YouTuber has been charged with two offences under the SRT Act — illegal entry onto State Railway of Thailand (SRT) premises and causing damage to the rail track and SRT property.
The video was shot 1.5 km from Ban Thap Chang Station in Prawet district on the eastern line, towards Chachoengsao and Aranyaprathet stations.
An initial check by police and SRT officials found up to 38 marks left by the crushed coins on tracks.
They also discovered a coin believed to be from his video, Prawet police chief Alongkorn Sirisongkram said yesterday.
If further examination finds his act caused serious damage, Mr Bartling will face criminal charges of encroaching on state land and causing property damage, Pol Col Alongkorn said.
If he is charged and found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of 14,000 baht. Such an act is illegal and could even “cause an accident”, Pol Col Alongkorn said.
SRT deputy director Thanongsak Pongprasert said it is important that he “take responsibility for his behaviour and make amends to Thai society.”
In a press conference yesterday, Mr Bartling said he “hears people whisper” when he goes out.
“I could have got a flight home, but I’m not running from the problem. I’m taking responsibility, and I’ll continue to make videos,” he said.
Yesterday evening, immigration police took Mr Bartling to the Immigration Bureau to check his entry documents.
They found he holds a Non-B visa and is seeking an extension to his stay. The authorities later released him. Mr Bartling said he is seeking a work permit to work at My Mate Nate Studio and expects to get it soon.