With lots of tourists at this time, comes the battle for the taxi and van fares. In the latest fracas, Phuket Police have charged two passenger van drivers, following an altercation at Rassada Pier on Sunday, February 18.
The fight was filmed and shared on social media, prompting outrage at the ongoing aggressive behaviour of the island’s public transport drivers. Yesterday four taxi drivers were charged over their attack on a Grab taxi driver.
One of the van drivers, named as 35 year old Ritthidet “Tin” Kingkaew from Phang Nga, submitted a formal complaint to Charat Lemphan of Phuket City Police Station. Ritthidet says he arrived at the pier to pick up a passenger who had booked him through the Grab ride-hailing app.
He says he parked his van and was on his way to meet his passenger when he was approached by a man who told him he needed to move his vehicle as other drivers used the area to perform U-turns. Ritthidet says he told the man he wouldn’t be there long, but an argument ensued.
“He walked up to me to punch me, so I made a fist and hit him. About three to four people came and attacked and injured me.”
According to the report, the other man, named only as Jack, was also summoned to the police station to give his version of events. He denies using any threatening behaviour with Ritthidet.
“I told him carefully to move the van a little so that other cars could travel easily. He didn’t do anything. He said that he didn’t see anyone making a U-turn. I said that someone would make a U-turn soon. After that, he turned around and punched me.”
Meanwhile, a woman who witnessed the incident says she saw Ritthidet being asked to move his vehicle and refusing to do so.
“After that, there was an argument, but the guy in the queue spoke angrily and said harsh words, which made the van driver hot-headed and he turned and punched the older man in the queue first.”
SOURCE: The Phuket News
