Driver leaves Norwegian at gas station - "I thought he was sleeping in the back"

[webfact]

Sanook Thai Caption:  (I) thought (he) was asleep

 

A Norwegian tourist found himself up the proverbial creek without a paddle yesterday afternoon.

 

He was on his way from Koh Chang to a hotel in Yannawa, Bangkok, in a hired car when the driver stopped to relieve himself at a gas station in Nong Ree sub-district of Muang Chonburi.

 

The tourist used the opportunity to get out the back and buy some snacks at the shop.

 

When he returned there was no car. Along with no possessions and no passport.

 

A lady came to his recue and called 191 who assigned Pol Sgt Chanin Botkhunthot to the case.

 

They managed to contact the hotel where the Norwegian was staying they subsequently were in touch with the driver.

 

He returned to the gas station saying that when he came out of the loo there was another vehicle blocking his line of sight.

 

So he never saw if he acctually had a passenger in the back.

 

He assumed his passenger was lying down asleep.

 

He only realised his error at the Lat Krabang toll plaza when he looked behind him and found that he was tourist-less.

 

He called the hotel who told him to go back to the gas station.

 

He'd done 60kms without realising. 

 

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[Lemsta69]

I'm quite a forgetful person but one thing I never forget is to let my driver know I'm going for a slash or to the Seven lest I end up like this hapless fellow. 

[MRToMRT]

There seems to be something missing from this story, this is the wierd bit:

 

"He called the hotel who told him to go back to the gas station."

[steven100]

10 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

There seems to be something missing from this story, this is the wierd bit:

 

"He called the hotel who told him to go back to the gas station."

that's exactly my thought when i read it .......   did he need the intelligence of the hotel reception to tell him the logical answer ...  hahaha

[Liverpool Lou]

10 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

There seems to be something missing from this story, this is the wierd bit:

 

"He called the hotel who told him to go back to the gas station."

What's "so weird" about the hotel staff telling him to return to the petrol station to collect his passenger who he's left behind?

[toofarnorth]

Not a good week so far for Scandies .

[brianthainess]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

He only realised his error at the Lat Krabang toll plaza when he looked behind him and found that he was tourist-less.

Ha Ha Ha He looked around wanting the toll money no doubt ????  

[Tarteso]

Perhaps driver saw before a non sleeper stichhiker ????

[BananaStrong]

There is more to this story!   A driver, “professional,” doesn’t check on his paying passenger before departing?    I’m guessing there was a gun fight, asteroids raining down, dragons circling, and the driver only has 11 minutes to save the Earth.   

Edited December 20, 2022 by BananaStrong

[marcusb]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

when he came out of the loo there was another vehicle blocking his line of sight.

There was another vehicle blocking his line of sight-of the back seat??? 

[Dmaxdan]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He returned to the gas station saying that when he came out of the loo there was another vehicle blocking his line of sight.

Where was this vehicle parked? On his back seat?

[paulbrow]

9 minutes ago, marcusb said:

There was another vehicle blocking his line of sight-of the back seat??? 

That's exactly the first thought that came to my mind!

 

[outsider]

Can't see if his passenger was at the back? What was the driver driving - the USS Enterprise?

 

The driver probably tried to make a run for it, then realised he was easily trackable (by the hotel, by his vehicle etc), decided it wasn't worth the risk, and turned back.

 

Anyway, good that it ended well for the Norwegian.

[cardinalblue]

That hitchhiker is kind of on the heavy side with short legs

[Lucky Bones]

3 hours ago, marcusb said:

There was another vehicle blocking his line of sight-of the back seat??? 

Happens all the time to me???????????

[Scouse123]

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What's "so weird" about the hotel staff telling him to return to the petrol station to collect his passenger who he's left behind?

Because he didn't have the brains to figure that out for himself without being told.

[Spock]

Far more likely that the taxi driver was trying to rip the guy off. There is no way he would not have realised that the Norwegian was not in the back.

[Mad mick]

It's funny Xmas story ????  and excuse thought guy was asleep ???? didn't even bother to at least check back seat ! one hec of xmas story & Norwegian won't ever forget !! Merry Xmas all 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Mad mick

[spidermike007]

He returned to the gas station saying that when he came out of the loo there was another vehicle blocking his line of sight. So, he never saw if he acctually had a passenger in the back. He assumed his passenger was lying down asleep.

 

Huh? Really? A responsible driver always confirm his passengers have returned to the car. Always. Anything to save face, after getting busted, and caught with his pants down. 

 

It comes down to perhaps the single most significant weakness most Thai people have. The pathological fear of losing face. Who cares what people think of you? For those of us with high self esteem, it just does not matter. Sure, maybe close friends and family. I ut strangers? It means nothing what they think, nor what they say about you. Nothing, less than zero. They count for nothing. They are just people, and people you do not know, nor will ever see again.

 

Face is rife with self doubt, and by subscribing to this weakness, and man or woman is made a far lesser person. I consider the practice of face to be the polar opposite of the practice of Buddhism, which teaches the need for introspection, contemplation, owning up to a problem, and taking responsibility for issues, problems and tragedies that you create in life.

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by spidermike007

[bwanajohn]

That happened to a friend of mine ...only he was driving ...wife asleep in the back seat at night dark...stopped at a service station ...he went in the shop ...she got out ...he came back ...drove off...pre cell phones...he was an hour or two down the road...not sure they are still married.

[Mywayboy]

Wet road,No Brakes that's why taxi driver couldn't stop until he got to Bangkok 

[Cake Monster]

Thank God this Moron is not driving a Mini Van full of School Kids.

[champers]

An ex UK Prime Minister once drove away after a break without realising he had left one of his own children behind.

Can happen to anyone.

[moe666]

Well it all ended on a happy note, stop trying to make a mountain out of a molehill

[MRMOUSE]

5 hours ago, paulbrow said:

That's exactly the first thought that came to my mind!

 

no but  diverted his attention!

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

I'm quite a forgetful person but one thing I never forget is to let my driver know I'm going for a slash or to the Seven lest I end up like this hapless fellow. 

Further, I would take my bag with passport, wallet, phone etc., etc., with me, even just for 1 minute to buy snacks or quick chee... 

[Sexpat Santa]

We’ve all done it!

[Sexpat Santa]

Somchai was wheelspinning off as soon as he saw Torban enter the gas station shop!

[damo1967]

6 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What's "so weird" about the hotel staff telling him to return to the petrol station to collect his passenger who he's left behind?

Exactly.. who else was going to tell the taxi driver ???? 

[Nong Khai Man]

3 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

That hitchhiker is kind of on the heavy side with short legs

Bet YOU Would Though ?? ( Pick Herr Up I Mean )