An apparent Tesla bug causes the self-driving car to apply its brakes when it detects people standing on the back of a bus.

Dashcam footage shows how the Tesla slowed down in the middle of a road in Bangkok after a 'songthaew' - a modified pick-up truck used as a share taxi or bus - drove past on February 21.

The EV driver said his car suddenly blared a loud warning and applied the brakes automatically upon detecting the people in front.

He speculated the Automatic Emergency Braking feature had activated, despite allegedly driving in manual mode at the time.

No one was injured from the 'glitch', which could raise questions about how the self-driving software adapts to under-developed third-world countries like Thailand in Southeast Asia.

The bizarre hiccup may pose difficulties for the Southeast Asian EV market, where vehicles like songthaews or Jeepneeys in the Philippines are a common mode of public transportation.

Chinese manufacturers BYD and Great Wall Motors have been eyeing Southeast Asian nations, particularly Thailand and Indonesia, as potential overseas expansions amid fierce competition in China.

Thailand, the largest car manufacturer in the ASEAN, has been pivoting towards growing its EV industry as it pushes to become a regional EV hub.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has drawn attention from the automakers because of its rich nickel deposits to make batteries.

Thai authorities have recently banned standing on songthaews, but cops said the law was difficult to enforce as drivers continue to hoard passengers on roads.