The driver, identified by police only as 34-year-old ‘Kitchapong’ from Phatthalung, was summoned to Patong Police Station on Monday (June 15) after investigators identified him through witness statements and CCTV footage, Patong Police reported yesterday (June 18).
The charges follow the death of Mr Cairney, 29, who suffered critical head injuries after falling from the tuk-tuk on Phra Baramee Rd at about 4am. He was initially rushed to Patong Hospital before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died.
Mr Cairney, from Stirling, Scotland, held an undefeated professional boxing record of 10 wins from 10 fights and won the WBO International Welterweight title in Hong Kong last year.
Pol Lt Col Surachat Thongyai, the investigating officer at Patong Police Station, said that Kitchapong ‒ only after being summoned by police ‒ admitted being the driver of the tuk-tuk involved in the incident.
According to his statement, Kitchapong picked up Mr Cairney and a female companion from Bangla Rd and agreed to take them to a hotel in Kalim.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the passengers reportedly said they did not have enough cash to pay the fare and asked to be taken to an ATM.
Kitchapong told police he drove to three different ATMs in the area, but the attempts to withdraw money were unsuccessful. He then decided to return his passengers to the Bangla Rd area.
While travelling along Phra Baramee Rd at what he described as a normal speed, Kitchapong said he felt something unusual with the vehicle but did not stop to investigate.
He continued driving for about two kilometres before realising Mr Cairney was no longer in the tuk-tuk.
Kitchapong admitted he did not stop at the scene, notify authorities or report the incident, police said.
Kitchapong said he later learned that the passenger had fallen from the vehicle, suffered critical injuries and subsequently died, police added.
Police said the tuk-tuk belonged to Kitchapong’s brother, from whom he rented the vehicle for commercial use.
Following the investigation, police charged Kitchapong with reckless conduct causing death and failing to stop, render assistance and immediately report the incident to police.
He has reportedly confessed to both charges.
Pol Lt Col Surachat said discussions over compensation are now underway between the suspect and Mr Cairney’s uncle, who is residing in Phuket.
Pol Lt Col Surachat confirmed that Kitchapong has a commercial driver’s licence, enabling him to legally operate a public transport vehicle in Phuket.
The case stems from an incident that shocked both Phuket and the boxing community after CCTV footage showed Mr Cairney falling from the rear of the moving tuk-tuk while travelling along Phra Baramee Rd.
Police had previously said the vehicle failed to turn into the hotel where the passengers intended to stop and instead continued past the entrance.
Earlier CCTV analysis indicated there was no evidence of an assault, with investigators concluding Mr Cairney’s injuries were consistent with a fall from the moving vehicle.
Mr Cairney had been holidaying in Phuket with relatives and friends from the United Kingdom.
The investigation is continuing as police prepare to forward the case for prosecution.