PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 67-year-old partially sighted motorcycle taxi driver was seriously injured in the early hours after a dispute over passenger pickup rules with younger app-based riders turned violent.
Early-morning assault in side street
The attack occurred at about 05.06 a.m. in Soi Chalerm Phrakiat 21 near a well-known hotel. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thamma Sathan Foundation were alerted to a report of serious bodily harm and rushed to the scene. They found Somchai Sangkhawattan, 67, in shock and extreme fear, with multiple bruises, a dislocated left shoulder and other injuries, while his wife sat trembling beside him and looking around nervously.
Victim describes dispute over pickup point
Somchai, a registered “Win” motorcycle taxi driver who worked in an orange vest, told reporters he had politely asked a much younger female driver for an app-based delivery service to pick up her passengers slightly further away from his official stand, in line with local arrangements. According to him, the woman reacted unexpectedly strongly, felt deeply attacked and became verbally aggressive and threatening. Later, two young male riders on a motorcycle with a green delivery box allegedly arrived and loudly provoked him in front of the stand.
Beating, threats and escape of attackers
Despite his age and visual impairment in his left eye, Somchai said he tried to flee. He reported that the assailants continued to punch and kick him and stamped on him until he fell to the ground, before he managed to crawl away and collapsed in front of a laundromat. Local residents intervened, prompting the attackers to flee, while good Samaritans called rescue services and supported the injured man until help arrived.
Signposted rules and extensive video evidence
A clearly visible sign at the motorcycle stand asked app drivers to pick up passengers at least 100 meters away, in accordance with Department of Land Transport guidelines, and displayed the emergency number of Pattaya City Police along with a polite note of thanks for cooperation. Residents and passers-by recorded clear video footage of the alleged attackers during and after the assault, capturing their faces and the motorcycle’s license plate, and showing the men continuing to insult the injured, disabled pensioner while his wife begged them to stop with folded hands. CCTV cameras in the area also recorded parts of the incident, and all material was handed over to Pattaya police for use in investigation and prosecution.
Community outrage and rising tensions
The case caused widespread outrage in the local community, with witnesses and social media users condemning the violence against an older, partially blind man over a comparatively minor dispute about a pickup point. Police stated they were currently reviewing the evidence to identify and arrest those responsible. Conflicts between traditional motorcycle taxi stands and app-based delivery and ride services had increased in Thailand in recent years.