Motorbike drivers in Phuket whose parked bikes were damaged when a drunk driver ploughed into them are urging police to accelerate action against the driver. Some drivers claim they haven’t been able to work since the incident and have suffered financial hardship as a result.
The Phuket News reports that at around 3.20am on December 28, a pickup truck ploughed into several bikes that were parked outside a Supercheap store in Bandon, in the northern district of Thalang. Nine bikes in total were damaged… fortunately no one was injured.
It’s understood the truck driver tried to flee the scene but was blocked by some of the bikes he had knocked over. When the police arrived, he was breathalysed and found to be over the alcohol limit. He has been named as 48 year old Damrong Bunphong and has been charged with drunk driving and damaging private property.
According to the Phuket News report, one of the bike owners, 25 year old Wannaphatchan Kueannun, says he’d parked his bike in front of the Supercheap to buy some food. While inside the store, he heard a loud crash and went back outside to find several bikes, including his own, had been struck.
Wannaphatchan says he has lost at least 11 days of work and over 600 baht in transportation fees since the incident. He is not alone. Another bike owner, 33 year old Sasinadda Wichaihom, says he was in the store buying beer for his co-workers and the damage to his bike has left him having to pay for a rental bike.
The bike owners are urging police to move quicker in getting them compensated for the damage and loss of earnings. For their part, Thalang Police say they’re taking the issue seriously and are working on a resolution for all affected parties.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
