A man is facing multiple charges after allegedly deliberately driving his car into parked vehicles outside a Patong massage shop. According to a number of media reports, the man was involved in a conflict with the owner of the shop. Four people were injured and four vehicles damaged in the incident, which happened around 8.00pm on Monday evening.
The Phuket News reports that the incident was captured on someone’s phone and widely shared on social media. The driver is now in police custody, facing multiple charges. He has been named only as Panudet, also known by the nickname “Manao”. Police have not revealed his family name.
According to the Phuket News report, at around 6.00pm on Monday, Panudet received a call from an employee at a massage shop owned by Chatchanan ‘Patty’ Charoenjai. It’s understood Panudet and Chatchanan have been involved in a long-running feud, with Panudet having previously reported Chatchanan for allegedly slapping him across the face, for reasons unknown.
The call from the massage shop employee was reportedly to inform Panudet that Chatchanan had “rushed back” from another province to settle the ongoing spat. Panudet then drove to the massage shop and invited Chatchanan to come to Patong Police Station. It’s understood the massage shop owner refused, saying he would go if summonsed by the police.
Some time later, Panudet returned to the massage shop in his car and claims Chatchanan was in the company of 6 or 7 men, who started yelling at him. He says the group then began to approach his car and he felt intimidated. Panudet says that he panicked and, while attempting to drive off, did not realise he was in the wrong gear and instead rammed into a number of motorbikes parked outside the massage shop.
A number of bystanders were injured in the incident and needed to be taken to hospital for treatment. According to the Phuket News report, the viral video of the incident does not support Panudet’s story.
Meanwhile, Sujin Nilbodee, chief of Patong Police, says Panudet is facing charges of causing loss of property, bodily harm causing injury, and reckless driving causing injury.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express | The Phuket News
