4-4-2024 (BANGKOK) An Austrian tourist faces charges of assaulting a limousine taxi driver following an altercation sparked by the passenger’s alleged smoking in the vehicle. The incident led to a collision with another car, unfolding on Thep Krasattri Road in Thalang district, as detailed by Pol Col Pasakorn Sonthikul, deputy commander of Phuket police, on Thursday.
According to the account provided by taxi driver Wuthiporn Chaiyamongkol, he had picked up Gernot Leoben from Phuket airport and was en route to the client’s destination in tambon Chalong.
However, tensions arose when, upon reaching Ban Mueang Mai in Thalang, the visitor reportedly lit a cigarette inside the vehicle. In response, the driver reminded him of the no-smoking policy.
As the journey continued along Thep Krasattri Road, the 59-year-old Austrian purportedly moved from the back seat to the front passenger seat, placing Mr Wuthiporn in a headlock, causing him to lose control of the car. Consequently, the taxi collided with the rear of an MG car, which was stationary at a traffic light.
The driver of the MG car, identified only as Thanongsak, recounted that upon feeling the impact, he alighted from his vehicle and heard the taxi driver’s calls for assistance.
Mr Thanongsak observed the passenger restraining the taxi driver by the neck. He, along with other bystanders, intervened promptly to aid the taxi driver and defuse the situation.
