Phuket City Police Lt Col Surachart Thongyai, who responded to the incident, confirmed to The Phuket News today (Dec 15) that the injured parties are still receiving treatment at Vachira Hospital.
“We are waiting to question all those involved in this accident. No charges have been filed against anyone at this time,” he said.
Lt Col Surachart confirmed that he was notified of an accident at 5:40am yesterday where it was reported that a green-plate taxi had crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler truck parked on the hard shoulder of bypass road.
The taxi driver, Mr Kittinan Chankratok, 23, and his two Chinese passengers, Mr Lu Ling, 27, and Ms Lu Yan, also 27, were injured as a result of the accident.
Mr Lu was the worst injured of the three suffering a broken arm and leg. However, all three required treatment at Vachira Hospital.
Lt Col Surachart added, “We were told that the taxi was heading to the airport to drop off the the passengers when the driver crashed into the back of the parked truck. The driver attempted to overtake another car on the inside lane when the accident happened.”
An official from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) who declined to be named said that the PLTO cannot press charges against the taxi driver as only the police have authority to do this.
“We have yet to receive any information about this case. However, if the court rules that the driver is guilty then we will follow the court order,” the official said.