Police in Phuket are searching for a foreign man who allegedly attacked a tuk-tuk driver in a dispute over the fare. Some reports suggest the British man had already fled to Krabi.
It’s understood the incident happened on Friday, April 26, and was captured on the tuk tuk driver’s video. The footage was then shared on Facebook and quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from social media users. A long version of the story, and the full video, also appeared in the Daily Mail.
Media reports say the altercation was the result of a dispute over the fare for a journey from Patong to Karon. According to a Phuket Express report, both passenger and driver had initially agreed a fare of 400 baht.
But when they arrived at the destination, the the 31 year old British passenger claims he handed over what he thought were four 100 baht notes. He then realised one of them was a 1,000 baht note and asked the driver for change. However, according to the Phuket Express, the driver disputed his claim and suggested they take the matter to the local police station.
It is at this point that the foreigner allegedly slapped the driver in the face and grabbed him by the neck, before fleeing on foot. The driver went to Patong Hospital for a medical check-up and was later discharged.
Karon Police have confirmed an arrest warrant has been issued for the foreign assailant. At least one Thai media report has named him as 35 year old Graham Luke Alexander, a British national, who has reportedly fled to Krabi province.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
