Two Phuket taxi drivers are to be charged following a violent assault that left a Grab driver hospitalised. However, the two men in question are not the same two men who last week presented themselves to police, with one claiming to have carried out the attack.
The story emerges even after the Phuket Land Office has, again, published a list of the LEGAL app-based ride-sharing services available in Phuket.
The Phuket News reports that Chergntalay Police have confirmed two taxi drivers have been arrested and charged with the December 2 attack.
They have been named as 49 year old Udomchai Pengsut and 37 year old Wutthidet Phromthong. Both are being charged with “joining together to cause physical harm to others”.
They are not the same two men who presented themselves at Chergntalay Police Station on December 4.
On that day, 48 year old Kamjorn Kanyacharee told police he had attacked the Grab driver. He was accompanied by 46 year old Bamrung Thipkonglat, who claimed his involvement was limited to trying to stop Kamjorn.
Police have made no comment as to possible charges against the two for providing false information to officers conducting an investigation.
Meanwhile, the 25 year old victim, Teerajet Chukaew, remains hospitalised in Trang with rib injuries and a perforated lung.
After reporting the incident to police, the Grab driver asked to be transferred out of the Phuket hospital where he was being treated to a hospital in his home province of Trang as he feared for his safety.
He was violently assaulted by the two taxi drivers when he arrived at a venue on Bangtao Beach to pick up a passenger who had booked him through the Grab app.
Following the attack, over 200 taxi app drivers rallied at Phuket Provincial Hall to present a letter to Vice Governor, Amnuay Pinsuwan, calling for greater protection.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
