The altercation occurred on the northbound lanes of the bypass road at about 9:10pm, and a 14-second dashcam clip was widely shared on local social media channels.
The video shows a tall foreign man exiting a black pickup truck before approaching and assaulting a van driver in the middle of the road. According to additional CCTV footage, the man overtook the van and then cut in front of it before braking sharply.
In other videos posted online, it can be seen that the foreign man was later forced to stop behind the Thai van driver. The foreign man exited his pickup and began explaining his actions to the Thai van driver, who was accompanied by another Thai man.
The foreign man held his hands up several times while debating the incident with the Thai van driver and his friend. However, after much debating and finger-pointing, the foreign man lost his temper and hit each man once before returning to his pickup and leaving.
The van driver, Saroj Chakthong, later told reporters that he had honked to warn the pickup truck after it made an abrupt lane change near the Premium Outlet Mall.
“I was driving normally, and there were many cars. The foreign driver overtook on the right and cut in front of me. I honked to warn him, and he hit the brakes. Then he kept weaving in front of me before stopping. I got out to speak to him politely, and he punched me,” Mr Saroj said.
The incident reportedly involved another van behind Mr Saroj, whose driver recorded the event and provided dashcam footage.
Mr Saroj later filed a report with Phuket City Police and obtained a medical examination report of his injuries, a minor scratch on his right ear, in order to present it to police.
Mr Saroj told reporters that he planned to pursue the matter to the end and that he would not accept a settlement.
Mr Saroj said he “unexpectedly” encountered the foreign man again yesterday (Apr 7). “He gave me a wai and apologised, but I won’t compromise. This shouldn’t happen in our country,” said the Phuket van driver.
However, Phuket City Police Chief Pol Col Chatree Chukaew has since confirmed to The Phuket News that Mr Saroj’s stern stance against settlement may have now changed.
Both parties had been contacted and that medical and drug test results were pending, Pol Col Chatree said.
Assault charges may be filed, with the possibility of further charges depending on the outcome of those results, he admitted.
Pol Col Chatree also noted that two parties had discussed possible compensation. However, it remained unclear whether Mr Saroj would move forward with legal action, he said.
Pol Col Chatree added that the foreign man’s identity had not yet been made public, as the case may not proceed to court.
“If the van driver decides to press charges, we will proceed with filing a legal action,” he said.