Minibus drivers clash on Phahonyothin Road causing major traffic jam
Two minibus drivers clashed in the middle of Phahonyothin Road, near Khu Khot, Lam Luk Ka, causing a severe traffic jam and forcing passengers to flee. This incident occurred yesterday, September 17, around 8am, leading to a disruption in the traffic flow towards Bangkok.
The altercation involved a white BMTA minibus on the Chatuchak-Thammasat University route and an interprovincial minibus on the Ang Thong-Suphan Buri route. According to a witness, 29 year old Pornchai, the drivers started arguing over passengers, escalating to physical violence.
Footage captured by a bystander showed the interprovincial minibus driver, wearing a blue shirt, grabbing the BMTA driver, who wore a light blue shirt, by the neck amidst honking cars trying to alert others of the commotion.
Pornchai mentioned that the dispute likely stemmed from both drivers refusing to give way, leading to a minor collision and heated exchange. He was driving past when he witnessed the blue-shirted driver dragging the light blue-shirted one, prompting him to intervene to prevent further escalation. Despite the BMTA driver’s apology, the blue-shirted driver refused to relent, intensifying the situation, said Pornchai.
“The blue-shirted driver wouldn’t calm down. He parked his minibus right in the middle of the road during rush hour, causing a significant traffic jam.”
Amid the chaos, passengers from both minibuses hurriedly exited, fearing the situation might worsen, reported KhaoSod.
Efforts were made by Pornchai and a nearby motorcycle taxi driver to mediate. The motorcycle taxi driver, who was stationed near the bus stop where the incident occurred, confirmed the conflict arose from a minor collision and subsequent refusal to give way. He described how a female passenger pleaded for the other driver to move so she could get to her destination, but he refused, leading to a physical altercation,
“Seeing the traffic jam and the argument, I felt uneasy. They should have resolved it more amicably.”
The motorcycle taxi driver urged the transportation officials to provide training to prevent such incidents, highlighting concerns for passenger safety.
