A Phuket motorbike taxi driver has been stabbed to death in a fight with another driver in Patong, reports the Phuket News. The second driver sustained a stab wound to his leg in the altercation, driving himself to hospital.
Patong Police were notified of the incident at around midday yesterday, January 11, and arrived at the scene near the Government Savings Bank at the Khok Makham Intersection on Phra Barami Road. There they found 61 year old Samanmart Ueanoth slumped unconscious in a chair, with 3 stab wounds to his chest.
Samanmart was rushed to Patong Hospital, but was subsequently pronounced dead.
It’s understood the victim was locally known as “Uncle Mit” and originally hailed from the central province of Phetchaburi. Eyewitnesses say his assailant, 41 year old Thawatchai Kaewsamsri, from the southern province of Phatthalung, was stabbed in the leg in the altercation and drove himself to Patong Hospital.
The Phuket News reports that both men worked for the same motorbike taxi company and had clashed before, usually over Samanmart’s propensity for drinking alcohol while waiting for passengers.
According to witnesses, yesterday’s fatal fight began over customers being refused service. Samanmart was seen brandishing a knife, at which point Thawatchai kicked him. Samanmart then stabbed him in the leg, before Thawatchai managed to get the knife and fatally stabbed Samanmart.
Patong Police have launched an investigation and have sealed off the area. It is not yet known if Thawatchai has been arrested.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
