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British Tourist Arrested Following Alleged Road Rage Assault on Phuket Taxi Driver
Phuket, Thailand – A British holidaymaker has been arrested after allegedly physically attacking a taxi driver in Phuket, Thailand, in a purported road rage incident. Shocking dashcam footage captured the moment of the assault, which has sparked widespread condemnation.
Dashcam Captures Alleged Attack
Police have identified the British man as Joseph Millward. Video evidence shows Millward engaged in a heated argument with taxi driver Saroj Jakthong before allegedly striking him with considerable force, causing him to fall to the ground.
The footage further depicts the robust tourist then appearing to target Jakthong’s colleague, who successfully evaded the blow.
Jakthong, 39, immediately got back on his feet and pursued Millward towards his black Ford pickup truck. However, the British national reportedly fled the scene before Jakthong could confront him further.
Incident Originates from Traffic Dispute
Reports indicate that the confrontation ensued after Jakthong reportedly honked his horn at Millward. This was allegedly in response to Millward cutting in front of Jakthong’s vehicle on a busy Phuket road on April 6.
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The vehicles subsequently slowed down, and the British tourist reportedly parked his truck before exiting to confront Jakthong.
Taxi Driver’s Account
“I alighted from my vehicle to speak calmly,” Jakthong stated after the event. “I informed the foreign driver that his driving was hazardous and requested him to be more cautious.”
Violent Confrontation Escalates
“However, he immediately punched me, causing me to fall,” Jakthong recounted. “Fortunately, no other vehicles were in close proximity at that precise moment.”
Following the incident, the taxi driver sought medical attention to document his injuries. He then proceeded to the police station, where he encountered the apologetic British man awaiting authorities.
Demand for Justice
Despite Millward’s pleas for forgiveness, Jakthong has stated that he intends to pursue legal action, emphasizing his determination to seek justice.
“I will not compromise,” he asserted. “I will pursue legal action until the very end.”
“I never anticipated such an event occurring to me,” Jakthong added. “This should not befall any Thai citizen.”
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry into the alleged assault. Saroj Jakthong filed an official complaint at the Phuket City Police Station, prompting the investigation.
Lieutenant Colonel Khunthong Chaowalit, Deputy Inspector for Investigation, confirmed, “Preliminary information indicates that the perpetrator is a British national named Joseph Millward.”
Recent Cases of British Tourists in Legal Trouble in Thailand
This incident is not isolated, as several British nationals have recently been involved in legal issues within the popular Southeast Asian tourist destination.
Other Recent Incidents Include:
- Earlier this week, George Paterson, 40, from Glasgow, was apprehended for allegedly attacking a shop owner and a teenage boy in Phuket.
- Last month, four British tourists faced arrest and were paraded by Thai police for allegedly attempting to smuggle a substantial amount of cannabis, valued at £1.7 million, out of Koh Samui airport.
- In February, Marc Patrick Wharton was charged with importing illegal narcotics after a packet of cocaine reportedly fell from his pocket at an airport.
Phuket’s Overcrowding and Tourism Concerns
Phuket experienced recognition as the world’s most overcrowded holiday destination in the previous year, with a significant imbalance between the local population and tourist numbers, estimated at 118 tourists for every local resident.
Despite its popularity, known for its renowned coastal locations and vibrant nightlife, the surge in tourism has generated concerns among local residents regarding criminal activities and misconduct attributed to visitors.
In response to escalating issues, authorities reported that last year 194 foreign nationals had their visas revoked, and 998 faced deportation due to criminal conduct, as stated by Kriangkrai Ariyaying, chief of Phuket’s immigration police.
He conveyed to the Bangkok Post, “Tourists must comply with the law, or they risk arrest and permanent bans from re-entering Thailand.”
“Those found violating the law will face arrest and deportation,” he reiterated.
Tourism Tax and Infrastructure Plans
The Thai government has outlined proposals to implement a tourism levy aimed at managing visitor numbers and financing infrastructure development related to tourism.
British Embassy Contacted
The British Embassy in Thailand has been approached for comment regarding the recent incidents involving British nationals.