Patong Ride-Hailing Driver Hospitalised After Suspected Chemical Spray Incident

A female ride-hailing driver in Phuket was taken to hospital after suddenly developing dizziness, weakness and breathing difficulties while transporting four foreign passengers in Patong on September 12. The woman said she believed the group may have sprayed an unidentified substance on her and suspected an attempt to drug her.

The incident was reported by the Phuket Times Facebook page on September 13. According to the report, it happened at around 9pm while the driver was travelling along Patong Road.

The driver had picked up four foreign men, whom she described as Arab, from a hotel in Patong. During the trip, the passengers reportedly offered her a sweet that appeared to be candy. She refused and continued driving.

The men then allegedly invited her to join them at an entertainment venue on Bangla Road. After declining, the driver soon began feeling unwell. She pulled over after becoming dizzy, weak and short of breath.

The woman said she felt as though something had been sprayed on her shortly before the symptoms appeared. She subsequently suspected that the passengers had tried to drug her.

Tuk tuk drivers and other people at the scene reportedly came to her assistance and took her to hospital.

MGR Online reported that the four foreigners initially appeared to help the driver but left while the situation was unfolding. Some witnesses suspected that the group may have intended to drug her and steal the gold necklace she was wearing. Police, however, had not confirmed that theory, and initial reports did not indicate whether a formal complaint had been filed.

The substance allegedly involved in the incident has not been identified, and there has been no confirmed explanation for the driver's symptoms.

The case follows another reported incident earlier this month in which a pharmacist in Patong said a foreign man sprayed an unidentified substance at him. The pharmacist reported dizziness, cold hands and feet, a rapid heartbeat and chest tightness after the incident.

He reportedly chased the man away from the pharmacy before receiving medical assistance at a nearby hospital. The pharmacist was later said to be safe, but there has been no further update on efforts to identify the man or determine what substance was used.