Third taxi thug surrenders to police
PHUKET: The third and final taxi driver wanted for the vicious attack on a driver from Kok Chang elephant trekking company on September 4 surrendered himself to Kamala police on Tuesday (September 27).
Thursday 29 September 2011, 04:42PM
Wasan Sanaeha, 35, admitted that he and Thanawut Poksakul, 25, had tried to pull the victim from his car and assault him outside the Cape Sienna Hotel.
The driver from Kok Chang had apparently invaded their ‘turf’, and was not permitted to pick up guests from the hotel.
Thanawut was arrested on September 16 in front of Cape Sienna, along with 31-year-old Sitthikorn Boonsri who later admitted to smashing the windscreen of the victim’s car.
The two were released the same day after an official from Kamala OrBorTor stood bail.
A mugshot of Wasan was then presented to the victim earlier this week. An arrest warrant was issued immediately after Wasan was confirmed as the offender.
According to police, while a large mob of taxi drivers were present at the scene of the violence, only three drivers were physically involved in the assault.
Meanwhile, Kamala Police Superintendent Pol Col Natthaphakin Kwanchaipruk said he was told by Cape Sienna Hotel that four guests had already cancelled their room reservations after reading news coverage of the taxi violence.
All of them cited safety concerns for the cancellations.
A meeting between police, hotel staff and taxi drivers from the rank in front of the hotel will be arranged within the next 10 days to discuss the impact of violent behaviour.
