Smoking Austrian attacks taxi driver in Phuket

Smoking Austrian attacks taxi driver in Phuket
On Wednesday night, an Austrian customer attacked the vehicle taxi driver in Phuket’s Thalang district on Thep Krasattri Road. ( Photos supplied )

A car 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 car driver, claims Gernot Leoben left Phuket Airport and was arriving at the lawyer’s residence in tambon Chalong.

The guest started smoking a cigar inside the car 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 driver to gain control of the vehicle. The car subsequently collided with the back of a waiting MG SUV at a traffic lighting.

The SUV’s pilot, who merely identified himself as Thanongsak, claimed that after his vehicle was struck, he got out of his car and audibled the car driver’s call for assistance.

Mr. Thanongsak claimed that he witnessed the rider holding the car driver by the throat. He and different people came in to assist the taxi drivers and lessen the strain.