Phuket police are questioning 3 motorbike taxi drivers following a violent assault (again) on a Grab motorbike driver in Patong.
The Phuket News reports that on Sunday night, September 1, Patong Police were informed of the assault, in which 39 year old Aekapong Krueafaeng, originally from Surat Thani, suffered head and arm injuries.
According to the report, the attack took place on Phra Metta Road, just after 9pm. Chalermchai Hoernsawat, chief of Patong Police was informed of the incident and a team was dispatched to the scene.
Officers arrived to find Aekapong sitting on the road, bleeding profusely from his head and arm. He told police he had been attacked by a group of local motorbike taxi drivers in front of the Journeyhub Phuket Patong hotel.
The Grab driver told officers that the men beat him repeatedly with an iron rod, a claim which is reportedly backed up by CCTV footage shared online. Rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation transported the victim to Patong Hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, under police questioning, the accused drivers told officers they’d been acting in self-defence, accusing Aekapong of starting the altercation by trying to attack them first.
The police have not confirmed what charges – if any – the men will face.
They have been named as 40 year old Sitthichok Khwankeeree from Nakon Si Thammarat, 54 year old Banjoed Dangpradab from Phuket, and 38 year old Natawut Katasila from Si Sa Ket.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
