Bangkok – A viral video capturing a heated incident involving a group of taxi drivers and drunk individuals in the bustling city of Bangkok has stirred confusion and speculation. The incident, which took place in the Thong Lor area, led to accusations of unregistered taxis and the involvement of an illegal taxi mafia with the local police.
Phansa Amraphitak, the Chief of Thong Lor Police, addressed the incident today, stating that seven accused taxi drivers were summoned for interrogation. According to their testimonies, they denied being unregistered taxi drivers and claimed they were using a popular ride-hailing application to pick up passengers at the time of the incident.
The confrontation began when three inebriated individuals attempted to hail a taxi, only to be turned away as the vehicle was already booked through the ride-hailing app. This rejection sparked anger, leading the disgruntled group to bang on the taxi doors and hurl abuses, accusing the drivers of operating illegally.
The situation escalated quickly, and a widely shared video documented the physical altercation that ensued. Amid the chaos, allegations emerged suggesting the taxi drivers were connected to an illegal taxi mafia in Thong Lor, with potential police involvement. However, both the taxi drivers and the Thong Lor Police firmly denied these accusations.
The Thong Lor Police Chief reassured the public that the accusations were unfounded and baseless. After conducting phone inquiries with the victims, no claims of misconduct by any police official at the scene were reported. Although an accused driver mentioned police involvement during the altercation, it was later clarified as an exasperated comment, not suggesting any improper influence over law enforcement officials, as reported by KhaoSod.
Further investigation into the incident revealed that two police officers responded swiftly to the scene, arriving within three minutes of receiving the notification. One officer promptly protected the taxi and its passengers, preventing the aggressors from causing harm. Simultaneously, the other officer initiated peaceful negotiations with the instigating taxi driver.
The Thong Lor Police reiterated their commitment to integrity and clarified that no officer from their station had affiliations or sympathies towards any public transport group or illegal taxi mafia operations. Any violations related to vehicle misuse would be diligently fined and addressed by the police. However, they emphasized that issues pertaining to vehicle registration fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land Transport.
As for the intoxicated individuals involved, they expressed their intention to pursue legal action but have not yet filed formal charges. Legal requirements, such as obtaining a physician’s certificate in physical abuse cases, are currently being met before proceeding with the legal process.
In some cases, the police have refrained from immediately issuing summonses to the aggressors to allow the victims sufficient time to submit formal complaints at their convenience. Once this process is complete, the offenders will be notified of their charges, and legal action will be taken in accordance with court procedures.
