The dive instructor, who police declined to name, was charged with reckless driving, improper overtaking and dangerous driving and threatening others, Col Nikorn Somsuk of the Wichit Police confirmed to The Phuket News today.
Col Nikorn declined to name the man charged.
The man presented himself to Wichit Police Station this morning (Oct 8), Col Nikorn said, noting that the man had yet to be asked by police to do so.
The man presented himself to the police after a video called “Please help me. Am I wrong?” was posted on YouTube yesterday by Jirapong Yanasan. The video drew many angry comments from viewers. (See video here.)
The video shows the dive instructor in a gray Honda Accord attempting to cut into traffic while turning right from Muang Chaofa Rd onto Chao Fa West Rd from the right-hand lane in Wichit.
In the video, the dive instructor honks at Mr Jirapong and cuts across traffic to stop in front of Mr Jirapong to prevent him from driving away.
The instructor exits his car and approaches Mr Jirapong, who remains seated inside his car. Mr Jirapong rolls down his window and the instructor shouts at Mr Jirapong, “Do you know who I am?”
Mr Jirapong politely explains, “You were in the wrong lane.”
To which the angry instructor replies, “Don’t teach me the law” before returning to his car and driving away.
“The man apologised for his behaviour, which was a good thing to do, but he has been charged with three traffic violations anyway,” Col Nikorn said.