Thai police have launched a manhunt for a British tourist who was caught on camera slapping a terrified taxi driver and shouting “give me my fucking money” after a fight over the price of the ticket.
The 31-year-old Briton reportedly called taxi driver Abdullah Saesaheh to take him to the Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa on Phuket island on April 27.
However, when they arrived at the hotel, the passenger allegedly handed Abdullah a 100 baht (£2.15) note, mistaking it for a 1,000 baht (£21.51) note to pay the fare, which amounted to 400 baht. (£8.60).
When Abdullah tried to collect the correct amount, the British man allegedly assaulted him. Shocking dashcam footage shows the tourist, holding a beer bottle in his left hand, strangling Abdullah as he repeatedly says: “Give me my fucking money.”
The frightened Thai driver let go and said, “You paid 100 baht.” However, the passenger insisted: ‘No, damn it, I didn’t do it. I know this from my mother’s life. Damn, I didn’t do it. Give me my money. Show me what I paid you with.
The 31-year-old Briton (pictured while allegedly assaulting the taxi driver) allegedly called taxi driver Abdullah Saesaheh to take him to the Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa on Phuket island on April 27.
When Abdullah tried to collect the correct amount, the British man allegedly assaulted him. Shocking dashcam footage shows the tourist, holding a beer bottle in his left hand, strangling Abdullah as he repeatedly says: “Give me my fucking money.”
The frightened Thai native broke free of his grasp and said, “You paid 100 baht.” However, the passenger insisted: ‘No, damn it, I didn’t do it. I know this from my mother’s life. Damn, I didn’t do it. Give me my money. Show me what I paid you with’
When Abdullah refused, the man slapped him. As he leaned against the door of the driver’s seat, he said, “You’re lucky to get a little slap.” “You’re fucking screwed.”
Following the incident, the taxi driver filed a complaint at Karon police station and went to Patong hospital to have his injury checked.
Police Major Ekkasit Kwanwan of Karon Police said: ‘From the investigation, we learned that the British man fled to Krabi province. The superintendent of the police station has ordered his immediate arrest so that he can be prosecuted as soon as possible.’
Abdullah said he was traumatized by the alleged attack. He said: ‘I’m afraid to pick up tourists in case they hit me. This man was bigger and stronger than me. He was afraid that he might hurt me.
‘All the time I have worked as a taxi driver I have always been honest with tourists. I have never cheated on them. This was a mistake and she became very angry.”
Abdullah’s father, Mohammed Bang Hae, said he was furious about the attack.
He said: ‘I have always taught my son to stay calm when tourists refuse to pay him properly. However, in this case, we were bullied and taken advantage of. My son was attacked.
‘We have filed a complaint at the Karon police station and the police managed to locate the passenger at the hotel, but he still refused to go because he said he was afraid.
‘The matter remains unresolved. No legal action has been taken so far. “I hope the authorities act quickly so that this man can be brought to justice.”
