Phuket airport taxi driver charged with reckless driving

PHUKET: A taxi driver based at Phuket International Airport has been charged with reckless driving causing injury after slamming into a motorcycle with a sidecar late last night.

The accident occurred on Thepkrasattri Road, about 800 meters north of the Keha housing estate in Thalang, just after midnight.

Taxi driver Jeerasak Kakate, 46, said he could not avoid hitting the sidecar as he was following a passenger van at speed when the collision occurred.

Both vehicles were heading southbound toward Phuket Town, Mr Jeerasak told police.

“We were moving pretty quickly,” he said.

“The van swerved to the right, leaving me with no time to avoid the collision.”

Rojjanapa Inthorn, 30, who was driving the motorbike with sidecar, suffered extensive cuts and bruises to her legs.

She was taken to Thalang Hospital after receiving first aid from Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers, who were quickly on the scene.

Maj Kitthiphum Thinthalang of the Thalang Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that Mr Jeerasak was charged with reckless driving causing injury.

— Thawit Bilabdullar