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

For the latest installment of our ongoing DRIVERS series, we made our way to the far corners of Bangkok, where shopfronts give way to speed shops and midnight meets, to a place where retro dreams, racecar precision and Japanese tuning ethos converge. That place is Liberty Walk Thailand, and at the heart of it all is Oat — an architect-turned-entrepreneur, professional drifter, photographer and the region’s unlikely tuning pioneer.

Today, Oat stands as the founder of both Liberty Walk Thailand and Infinite Media. He has helped shape Southeast Asia’s stance culture scene and bring global tuning icons to local streets. His journey wasn’t paved in sponsorships or privilege — it was built late at night, long after the lights at his day job flickered off.

"I used to be an architect at a big firm," he shared, adding "during the day I worked, and at night I’d go to my friend’s shop to modify cars. Eventually, I realized I wanted to design my own future."

Building Liberty Walk TH From the Ground Up

What started as a late-night dream among friends became a real business when Oat sent an email to Wataru Kato, founder of Liberty Walk Japan. “We didn’t expect a reply,” he said. “But he wrote back immediately, saying we looked crazy—in a good way.”

In 2014, Oat met Kato-san at Bangkok International Auto Salon. With no physical garage to speak of, they struck a deal based purely on trust and passion. "We built our first Liberty Walk R35 GT-R at my house," he laughed. "We had no electricity, no bathroom—just determination and some extension cords."

Soon, the team found a location and Oat designed the entire space, starting with just one shipping container and a small workshop. Over the next decade, Liberty Walk Thailand completed close to 50 builds, including widebody Lamborghinis, 997s and S15 Silvias.

"I didn’t sell kits like a salesman," he said. "I shared stories like a friend. I drove the cars hard, tested them, tracked them, and proved to customers that the quality was more than just looks."

The Retro-Futurist Porsche Project

Oat’s most personal project yet is a one-off Porsche Cayman — a modern-day tribute to the 935 race cars of the late ’70s and early ’80s. He started with a base-model 987 Cayman featuring a mid-engine layout and installed a rare Old & New body kit that combines a 997 nose with a modified 996 rear fender, all painstakingly re-sculpted to fit.

“Many people asked why I started with the base Cayman,” he said. “But Thailand’s import taxes are high. This was the smartest platform to begin with. It’s light, agile, and gave me the freedom to invest in the build.”

Every detail was bespoke: custom-cut panels, retro-inspired paint and a set of deep-dish Rotiform wheels that give it a true ‘70s race car stance. Even the wing had to be altered to work with the Cayman’s rear hatch.

The car’s inspiration came from a black 935 race car named Spirit of Nevada, which Oat reinterpreted as "Spirit of Infinite" — a nod to his company and personal mantra. It all comes together in a time-warping blend of analog spirit and modern craftsmanship, wrapped in what he describes as "Vader" black.

Built From Legacy

Oat’s automotive story began long before Liberty Walk or widebody Porsches. In fact, it started with a Volkswagen Beetle — one that’s been in his family for over 60 years.

“It belonged to my grandfather,” he said, adding, "He was one of the first people in Bangkok who could fix American and European cars, because he could read English manuals.” The Beetle arrived via a family friend returning from the UK, and eventually became the car Oat’s mother learned to drive in.

Over the years, the car was modified, repainted and even had its rear window swapped to mimic a newer model. When Oat was a child, he rode in it daily, watching his grandfather pull the engine out by hand and respray the body in their driveway. “Every generation in my family learned to drive stick in this car. Now it’s mine and I’ll never sell it."

Not Just For Show

Notably, Oat is no stranger to serious motorsport. He’s been drifting competitively for over a decade and worked as a stunt driver for international film productions. One of his most viral builds? A Toyota Corolla taxi converted into a tube-framed, drift-ready 1.5JZ monster for an action film. It features a fully stripped interior hidden behind authentic taxi trimmings — and yes, it’s street-driven.

“People thought I was crazy,” he laughed. “But when they hear the engine and see the empty shell inside, they realize it’s something special.”

His garage includes a fleet of beloved builds: a Liberty Walk 997, a Nissan 200SX drift car and a silver 1956 VW Beetle — the very one that helped launch his obsession.

A Southeast Asian Car Community

Looking forward, with an expansion into Cambodia underway, Oat hopes to unify Southeast Asia’s car scene through cross-border drives, meets and cultural exchanges. “I want Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian, and Vietnamese car guys to connect,” he said. “We’re more similar than we think.”

His vision goes beyond kits and hp — it’s about shared values. “Cars are a way to communicate,” he said. “Whether you’re into old-school Porsches or new EVs, if you’ve got the passion, we speak the same language.”

When asked what advice he has for others stuck in unfulfilling jobs, dreaming of a different path, Oat’s answer is simple: "Be patient. Don’t quit just because it’s hard. If you love something, give it time. Keep moving. That’s how passion becomes purpose."

Liberty Walk Thailand may have started with no power and no plumbing, but it was always rich in vision. Today, Oat’s shop stands as a landmark of what happens when DIY culture, architectural design and raw automotive enthusiasm collide — and keep driving forward.

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