One of the attackers hacked the driver, Pawaras Phonjarung, 35, from Nakorn Sri Thammarat, with a long-handled sickle, cutting him in the face, necks and hands.
Mr Pawaras needed 30 stitches and is still in hospital under round-the-clock police guard after hospital staff said they feared the attackers might come to the hospital to try to finish Pawaras off.
Kathu Deputy Superintendent, Col Akasit Danpitaksan, said Mr Pawaras told investigators he was waiting with other motorbike taxi drivers near the APK hotel in Phang Meuang Sai Kor Rd, Patong, when a pick-up tuck stopped and three teenagers jumped out of the back and attacked him.
Mr Pawaras soon collapsed to the ground, at which point his attackers jumped back into the truck, which was driven away. A witness gave a description of the vehicle: a bronze Isuzu with the license plate number BorRor 3450, registered in Nakorn Sri Thammarat.
Mr Pawaras told police that he recognised one of the three attackers as an old enemy, and named him as Phuriwat Tongkhow, 21, from Nakorn Sri Thammarat.
After examining CCTV footage police were able to confirm Phuriwat was among the attackers. An alert has been issued for the truck, and a photo and description of Phuriwat has been distributed.