Phuket tuk-tuk driver charged with assaulting tourist

A Phuket tuk-tuk driver is to appear in court this afternoon (February 10) after being charged with assaulting an Australian tourist outside of Central Festival Phuket.

At 12:20pm yesterday (February 9) two Australian tourists went to Wichit police station to file an assault report against a tuk tuk driver. The injured victim, Yang Sipeng, 21, was still bleeding from his lip and nose when he arrived at the station with his girlfriend and a translator.

Mr Yang told police that he and his girlfriend took a tuk-tuk from the Sugar Palm condo in Talat Nuea to Central Festival with the understanding that the fare would be B20 each. However, once they arrived at Central Festival the tuk-tuk driver said the price was B200 each.

An agruement ensued and Yang took out B100 to pay the driver hoping it would put an end to the argument. However, the driver snatched the B100 out of Mr Yang̕s hand and threw a punch at his face before speeding away.

At 5pm, the tuk-tuk driver, Chinnarat Kaew, 42, turned himself in to police and was charged with assault. He will appear in court this afternoon.

Mr Yang is currently receiving treatment at Dibuk Hospital.

Phuket News

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