From Blueprints to Body Kits: The Rise of Liberty Walk Thailand

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To explore a fresh chapter in our recurring DRIVERS feature, we ventured to the outskirts of bustling Bangkok, where traditional storefronts transform into speed shops and late-night gatherings, leading us to a spot that blends nostalgic aspirations, racecar precision, and the Japanese tuning philosophy. This special location is Liberty Walk Thailand, and at its core is Oat – an architect who transitioned into entrepreneurship, professional drifter, photographer, and an unconventional pioneer in the region’s tuning scene.

Currently, Oat serves as the founder of both Liberty Walk Thailand and Infinite Media. He has played a significant role in shaping Southeast Asia’s stance culture, inviting renowned global tuning icons to local streets. His path wasn’t smoothed by sponsorships or privilege; instead, it was painstakingly constructed during late-night hours, long after the lights at his day job were extinguished.

He mentioned that in his past, he was an architect for a large company, but during the day, he would also spend time modifying cars at his friend’s workshop. Over time, he came to understand that he desired to create his own path forward.

Building Liberty Walk TH From the Ground Up

From a casual conversation between friends during a late-night hour, the idea evolved into a legitimate business when Oat emailed Wataru Kato, the founder of Liberty Walk Japan. “We didn’t anticipate a response,” he shared, “but he responded swiftly, calling us somewhat insane – in a positive manner.

In the year 2014, Oat crossed paths with Kato-san at the Bangkok International Auto Salon. Since they didn’t have a physical workshop, their partnership was forged on trust and shared enthusiasm. “We constructed our initial Liberty Walk R35 GT-R at my residence,” he chuckled. “We had no electricity, no restroom—just grit and some extension cords.

In due course, the team successfully identified a location, which served as the starting point for Oat’s comprehensive design of the entire facility. Originally utilizing a single shipping container and a modest workshop, Liberty Walk Thailand went on to execute nearly 50 projects over the subsequent ten years. These projects encompassed widebody Lamborghinis, 997 models, and S15 Silvias.

He mentioned, “Rather than pushing kits as a salesperson would, I shared experiences like a trusted friend. I put these vehicles through their paces, examined their performance, raced them on tracks, and demonstrated to customers that their quality surpassed mere aesthetics.

The Retro-Futurist Porsche Project

One unique endeavor by Oats is the customization of a single Porsche Cayman model – a contemporary homage to the iconic 935 race cars from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Beginning with a base-model 987 Cayman, he incorporated an uncommon Old & New body kit, which blends a 997 front section with a modified 996 rear fender. Each part was meticulously reshaped to fit seamlessly.

He explained, “A lot of folks have wondered about my choice to kick things off with the base Cayman. However, Thailand’s import duties are quite steep. Choosing this platform made the most sense due to its lightweight, agile nature, and the flexibility it offered for modifications during construction.

Each aspect was uniquely tailored: custom-fitted panels, vintage-style paint job, and an impressive collection of Rotiform deep-dish wheels, which contribute to a genuine ’70s race car posture. The wing also needed modifications to harmonize with the Cayman’s rear hatch.

The design concept for the car originated from a black 935 race car called Spirit of Nevada, which Oat creatively renamed as “Spirit of Infinity,” reflecting his company’s and personal philosophy. This fusion of old-school charm and contemporary artistry is encapsulated in what he calls “Vader” black, representing the final product.

Built From Legacy

Oats’ journey into the world of automobiles predates the era of Liberty Walk and widebody Porsche cars. Instead, it was ignited by a Volkswagen Beetle, a vehicle that has been a part of his family for more than six decades.

He mentioned that the vehicle was his grandfather’s possession. Moreover, he shared that his grandfather was among the pioneers in Bangkok capable of repairing American and European automobiles due to his ability to comprehend English manuals. The Beetle, which Oat’s mother eventually learned to drive with, arrived from the UK through a family friend.

Over time, modifications, repaints, and a new rear window transformation turned this old car into an imitation of a newer model. As a kid, Oat frequently traveled in it, marveling as his grandpa manually removed the engine and re-sprayed the body in their driveway. “Each generation in my family learned to drive manual transmission in this car. Now it’s mine, and I will never part with it.

Not Just For Show

Significantly, Oat has a long history with high-stakes motorsport. For more than ten years, he’s been competing in drifting events and has even worked as a stunt driver for various international movie productions. One of his most popular creations is a Toyota Corolla taxi transformed into a powerful 1.5JZ tube-framed drift car for an action film. This vehicle boasts a completely bare interior disguised by genuine taxi trim, and it’s worth mentioning that it’s also suitable for street driving.

He chuckled, “They probably considered me insane, but once they listen to the sound of its engine and witness the unique interior, they understand it’s extraordinary.

The garage houses several cherished projects: a Liberty Walk Porsche 997, a Nissan 200SX for drifting, as well as a vintage 1956 Volkswagen Beetle – this particular car played a pivotal role in igniting his passion.

A Southeast Asian Car Community

Moving forward, as expansion into Cambodia is imminent, Oat aims to foster a unified automotive culture across Southeast Asia by organizing cross-border drives, events, and cultural interactions among Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian, and Vietnamese car enthusiasts. “I want these groups to connect,” he expressed. “We have more in common than we realize.

His perspective transcends car models and specifications; it’s centered around shared ideals. As he put it, “Cars serve as a medium for expression.” Regardless of whether you appreciate classic Porsches or modern electric vehicles, if you share that enthusiasm, we all speak the same passionate language.

Exercise patience. Don’t resign due to difficulty. If you have a genuine affection for something, invest time into it. Continue progressing. That’s the path where passion transforms into purpose.

As a gamer, I’d say: Liberty Walk Thailand might’ve begun with nothing more than dreams and determination, devoid of electricity and running water. Yet, it was brimming with vision from the get-go. Fast forward to today, Oat’s workshop is an icon, showcasing the remarkable fusion that happens when DIY spirit, architectural ingenuity, and unbridled automotive passion intersect — and never stops accelerating.

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2025-05-09 19:26