Foreign Man Accused of Attacking Phuket Tuk Tuk Driver Over Fare

A foreign man has allegedly assaulted a Phuket tuk tuk driver with a beer bottle after refusing to pay the fare following a ride from Patong to a hotel in Kathu district.

The alleged incident was reported on October 1, although initial reports did not specify when the assault took place.

According to the driver's account, he picked up the foreign man and a woman on Bangla Road and drove them to a nearby hotel. After arriving, the man reportedly said he did not have any cash to pay the fare.

He then left his phone with the driver as security and asked the driver to return an hour later to collect the money. The driver agreed and returned at the arranged time.

At the hotel, the driver approached reception and asked staff to call the man downstairs. The foreigner reportedly appeared heavily intoxicated and told the driver that he had been arguing with his girlfriend.

The driver said he did not become involved in the couple's dispute and instead asked for the outstanding fare.

The man allegedly became angry, refused to pay and took his phone back from the driver. A heated argument followed.

The dispute then reportedly turned physical. According to the driver, the man tore his shirt and struck him on the head with a beer bottle before leaving the hotel without paying the fare.

The driver subsequently filed a complaint with police. Initial reports did not provide further details about the investigation or confirm whether the alleged attacker had been identified.

The case follows several other reported disputes involving foreign nationals and Phuket tuk tuk drivers.

In February, three foreign men allegedly attacked a tuk tuk driver outside Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong following a dispute over parking.

In August, a Phuket tuk tuk driver accused an Israeli family of threatening and attempting to attack him after he declined to join a trip involving Australian passengers.

Another incident was reported in July, when a foreign man allegedly refused to pay a tuk tuk fare and assaulted a Thai driver outside a hotel on Soi Na Nai. The man was later reportedly arrested, fined and deported.