Furious social media users have criticised the lax enforcement of road traffic laws after a Bangkok taxi struck a man using a pedestrian crossing. A video of the dramatic incident on X has already attracted more than 3.3 million views (as of Wednesday morning).
WARNING: Some readers may find the incident distressing to watch. HERE.
The incident took place in the Bang Kho Laem district of the capital and has reminded many of a similar event over two years ago, when a woman using a pedestrian crossing was struck and killed by an off-duty police officer on a speeding motorbike.
Video footage of the latest incident shows a man being struck by a taxi on the pedestrian crossing in front of the Asiatique the Riverfront restaurant.
The footage was posted yesterday, April 23, and quickly went viral, prompting an outcry over the lax enforcement of traffic laws, with many netizens saying the current penalties are too light to serve as a deterrent.
Wat Phraya Krai police officers have responded to confirm that they were notified of the incident shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday, April 20.
Police officers and rescue workers arrived at the scene, where they found the victim, named only as 44 year old Mr Thanat, and the taxi driver, named as 58 year old Mr Patsathi. Mr Thanat was transferred to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and police are now reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
According to the taxi driver’s statement to police, he was travelling outbound on the Charoen Krung Road and drove through a pedestrian crossing light. As a result, his vehicle struck and injured Mr Thanat who was crossing the road at that moment.
The Pattaya News reports that uploaded footage of the incident shows around 12 pedestrians waiting to cross the road. Netizens have responded with outrage to the incident, criticising existing laws and decrying penalties they say aren’t harsh enough.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
