Thai man sorry for brutal assault of Bangkok taxi driver (video)

A Thai man yesterday turned himself in at a police station after brutally assaulting a 70 year old taxi driver following an accident on Borommaratchachonnani Road in Bangkok on November 19. The old driver, who has no family members, remains in hospital since the incident.

A viral video shared on a Facebook news page showed the motorcycle rider, later identified as 25 year old Teeraphat, physically assaulting the old taxi driver, whose name has not been disclosed, in the middle of Borommaratchachonnani Road near the Arun Amarin Intersection in Bangkok.

The video depicted a heated argument between the two over the accident. Teeraphat accused the taxi driver of failing to use his indicator before changing lanes, which he claimed caused a collision with his motorcycle. Meanwhile, the taxi driver argued that Teeraphat was the one who failed to use his indicator.

Teeraphat demanded compensation for the damage to his motorcycle but the taxi driver maintained that there was no collision.

Suddenly, Teeraphat shoved the taxi driver to the ground, kicked him in the face, and then stomped on his head before walking away.

According to Channel 7, a traffic police officer arrived at the scene and escorted Teeraphat to the police station for drug and alcohol testing.

Claim to misunderstand

Teeraphat was released shortly afterwards as the tests came back negative and no formal complaint was filed at the time. The taxi driver, unable to file a report due to his injuries, had no family to assist him, and police were unable to contact anyone on his behalf.

The taxi driver remains in hospital with severe injuries, including fractures to his facial bones and jaw. He also lacked a mobile phone, making communication even more difficult.

Following the public outcry over the viral video, Teeraphat, accompanied by his father, turned himself in at Taling Chan Police Station yesterday, November 25. He apologised on camera, claiming he misunderstood the situation and thought the victim intended to attack him, prompting him to act in self-defence.

Teeraphat repeatedly expressed remorse to the victim and the public and promised to enter monkhood after being released from custody.

He has been charged with physically assaulting another person causing severe injury, which carries a penalty of six months to 10 years in prison and a fine of between 10,000 and 200,000 baht under Section 297 of the Criminal Law.

Teeraphat also faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both, for damaging the victim’s property under Section 358 of the Criminal Law.