Ride-hailing driver charged for 'assaulting Japanese tourist during argument over fare dispute and traffic jam'
A ride-hailing driver was charged for allegedly assaulting a Japanese tourist in a fare and traffic jam dispute in Thailand.
The Bolt driver, 23, was taking the Japanese passenger, 52, to work when he suddenly stopped the journey midway in Bangkok, on May 28.
He reportedly ordered the shocked tourist out of the car as he complained the fare was too low for the distance because of heavy traffic.
But violence erupted when the passenger insisted that he be dropped off at his original destination.
He allegedly insulted the driver and told him to direct his complaints to the ride-hailing company instead.
The furious cabbie is said to have followed the tourist onto the street, elbowed him in the back of the head then unleashed punches that left him bruised and bleeding.
Motorists later stepped in to stop the alleged assault before the driver fled the scene.
The Japanese man was treated at a hospital and later filed a complaint with the local police.
Officers scoured CCTVs in the area before the suspect turned himself in to authorities on June 2.
He was charged with assault and violations of the Land Transport Act as his car was not registered for public transport and he did not possess a public driving licence.
He allegedly confessed to all charges, expressed remorse and said he wanted to apologise and negotiate a settlement.
However, the victim refused to meet him face-to-face and insisted legal action be pursued to the fullest extent.
The suspect told police that the fare dispute and traffic congestion contributed to the row, but claimed the 'tense atmosphere' in the car caused him to lose control of his emotions.
Police Colonel Rattathanon Ekathitikulpat, Thonglor police chief, said: 'He claimed the passenger was kneeing the back of his seat, using profanities, and insulting him. But that is only his side of how the conflict started.'
Officials said the driver had completed more than 2,000 trips through the app and had previously received several one-star reviews from passengers complaining about his behaviour behind the wheel.
He reportedly had a history of 'inappropriate' driving, aggressive road behaviour, and running red lights.
Bolt said it has permanently banned the driver and called the victim to compensate him.
Supatta Neamvanichakul, Public Policy Lead at Bolt Thailand, said: 'We are strengthening our security measures to help prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes stricter driver screening procedures and encouraging passengers to immediately report any driver whose appearance does not match the information shown in the app.'
She added that any driver who fails identity verification checks will have their account immediately and permanently suspended.
Police said the suspect was due to appear in court today, June 4.
Unscrupulous taxi drivers are among the leading complaints of foreign tourists in Thailand. They have become known for inflating prices, taking them to non-existent attractions or even threatening some holidaymakers
Citing a 2022 quarterly survey, the Tourism Council of Thailand had said that visitors rated taxi services poorly.
The tourists complained of 'unfair treatment' as cabbies reportedly tended to prefer passengers who agreed to pay a fare without using the taxi metre, or those who agree to pay an arbitrarily higher charge.
Officials said that tourists can use ride-hailing apps such as the NASDAQ listed company Grab, which provides taxis across Southeast Asia for the legal market rate.
