PUBLISHED: 4 Apr 2024 at 10: 27
A vehicle taxi driver who allegedly told an Austrian guest not to smoke in the vehicle has been charged with assault. The car collided with another vehicle as a result of the encounter.
The incident happened on Thep Krasattri Road in Thalang area on Wednesday night, Pol Col Pasakorn Sonthikul, assistant chief of Phuket policeman, said on Thursday.
Wuthiporn Chaiyamongkol, a cab drivers, claims Gernot Leoben was picked up from Phuket Airport and was headed for tambon Chalong, the lawyer’s place.
The guest started smoking a cigarette inside the vehicle when they arrived at Ban Mueang Mai in Thalang. In reaction, the drivers informed him of the no- cigarettes policy.
The 59-year-old Austrian placed Mr. Wuthiporn in a chokehold as the car was moving along Thep Krasattri Road, causing the pilot to lose control of the vehicle. The car subsequently collided with the back of a waiting MG car at a traffic light.
The MG driver’s driver, who merely identified himself as Thanongsak, claimed that he left his car after being struck and heard the taxi driver yelling for help.
Mr. Thanongsak claimed that he witnessed the rider holding the car driver by the throat. He and other people came in to assist the vehicle drivers and lessen the strain.