A motorcycle taxi rider in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket has been fined 2,500 baht after attempting to overcharge and threaten a passenger. The incident was reported by 32 12 months outdated Wilaiwan Khormobklang to officers at Patong Police Station yesterday, May 10.
The rider, identified as Prasertchai, operates on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in Patong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket. His motorcycle’s registration number is กน 6114.
According to Wilaiwan’s complaint, she called Prasertchai at 4am and informed him of her destination. Results quoted her a payment of 70 baht, which was larger than the similar old fee of 50 baht. When Wilaiwan refused to pay the higher charge and informed Prasertchai that she knew the right price, he lowered the fee to 60 baht. However, Wilaiwan nonetheless felt that the payment was unfair and politely refused his service, deciding to walk as an alternative.
Prasertchai grew to become angry and began chasing after Wilaiwan while shouting vulgarities at her. Despite Wilaiwan apologising to him, the rider continued to threaten her. He said…
“If I see you right here next time, I won’t allow you to go. I will beat you!”
Wilaiwan was afraid as she discovered herself alone and helpless, with solely two or three foreigners in sight. She resolved to document a video to file a grievance with the police.
The Deputy Superintendent of the Patong Police Station, Phum Samworranon, knowledgeable KhaoSod that the officers had investigated the incident and situated the culprit, Prasertchai, who lived very close to the police station.
The officers summoned Prasertchai for questioning, and he admitted that he had acted out of anger. He additionally revealed that he was a resident of Nakhon Si Thammarat province and had just recently moved to Phuket together with his three children. The police found that Prasertchai did not have a licence to operate as a motorbike taxi rider and had not paid the required taxes for his motorbike. Moreover, as seen in Wilaiwan’s video, Prasertchai was not sporting a helmet.
Consequently, Prasertchai was fined 2,500 baht and was ordered to attend an eight-hour coaching session at the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office to enhance his data of traffic guidelines and behavior.
Not only locals, but overseas travellers in Thailand, also suffer from the disturbing behaviour of some motorcycle taxi riders. During final month’s Songkran pageant, a Pattaya bike taxi rider in Pattaya threatened to homicide two foreigners over a dispute about transportation fees. The viral video confirmed the rider trying to attack the foreigners with a knife. Thankfully, close by witnesses intervened and managed to defuse the situation.
Many Thais have called on relevant authorities to impose stricter penalties on violent public transport providers to stop such incidents from occurring once more..