Report Pattaya Driver Feud: Ride-Hailing Tensions Rise

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Pattaya News

 

A driveway dispute in central Pattaya nearly escalated into violence when a Bolt motorbike taxi driver allegedly brandished a knife during an argument with a local resident.

 

The incident occurred at 5:42 PM on June 22 in Soi Taengmo, near the lively Buakhao strip. Thanisorn Polsongkram, a 44-year-old known as James, found his driveway blocked by a motorbike, prompting him to try moving it so he could park his car.

 

At that moment, a Bolt app rider sped into the narrow alley with a passenger on the back, almost colliding with Thanisorn.

 

“I shouted at him,” explained Thanisorn. “But instead of apologizing, he swore at me and looked like he was going to pull a knife.”

 

The rider initially drove away, but the confrontation wasn’t finished.

 

Ten minutes later, the same rider returned with a male passenger. Thanisorn reported that the driver dismounted, again appearing to wield a knife, seemingly ready for another confrontation.

 

Fearing for his safety, Thanisorn armed himself with a gardening knife for defense.

 

“My wife intervened and tried to calm the situation,” Thanisorn recounted. “Luckily, the passenger convinced the driver to leave.”

 

Footage of the incident, shared by Facebook user Nikorn Pakmongkol, captures part of the tense standoff and has now gone viral, leading to public concerns over rogue app drivers and rising tensions in Pattaya.

 

Thanisorn has lodged a formal complaint with Pattaya City Police, who are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify the suspect involved.

 

This marks the second problematic ride-hailing incident in Pattaya within a week, causing unease in the seaside city.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-26

 

 

[it is what it is]

 

and?

[richard_smith237]

Easy solution - kick him off the BOLT platform...  So that passengers know they won't be replying on unhinged mental cases... 

 

One of the reasons to use BOLT and GRAB in the first place (Bike and Car) is to avoid these nut-cases...

[topt]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

in Soi Taengmo,

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

ound his driveway

I presume he means the bike was in front of his residence as I don't recall seeing any space for a "driveway"  in that soi? 

[newbee2022]

Amazing. They all got a knife at hand.

Short fuse as well 😂

[hotchilli]

Nutters everywhere.

[sikishrory]

Where does it say Bolt. 

[NanLaew]

On 6/26/2025 at 8:17 PM, topt said:

 

I presume he means the bike was in front of his residence as I don't recall seeing any space for a "driveway"  in that soi? 

He was moving an unattended motorbike so he could park when the speeding Bolt driver almost hit him. The fact that there are no "driveways" isn't the issue here.

 

His claim that, " I shouted at him" doesn't explain anything as it doesn't indicate what words were shouted. Still, that's no excuse for the Bolt driver to brandish a knife or even come back and aggravate things.

[CanadaSam]

1 hour ago, sikishrory said:

Where does it say Bolt. 

 

On line 6 of the story.

 

But the more interesting question is why are there no bolt or grab jackets visible?

[Upnotover]

6 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

 

On line 6 of the story.

 

But the more interesting question is why are there no bolt or grab jackets visible?

I use bolt motorbikes a lot and not once has the rider has a bolt jacket.

[LALes]

I take Bolt taxis all the time.  No driver is ever in any kind of uniform.

[SAFETY FIRST]

29 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

1 hour ago, sikishrory said:

Where does it say Bolt. 

On line 6 of the story.

But the more interesting question is why are there no bolt or grab jackets visible?

It would be a death sentence, the motorbike taxi guys (all Mafia) would kill them if they were identifiable. 

 

[Magictoad]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

It would be a death sentence, the motorbike taxi guys (all Mafia) would kill them if they were identifiable. 

 

They are not all Mafia. Simply not true at all 

[SAFETY FIRST]

5 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

They are not all Mafia. Simply not true at all 

Oh, OK then 99% of them 😎

[CanadaSam]

Sorry for my ignorance, I drive a car, and on the odd occasion that I was on a paid bike ride, I guess I was drinking in excess, so did not notice the lack of uniform.

 

Just assumed that grab drivers also wore a jacket like the food delivery guys LOL!

 

Thanks for the education guys!

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I use bolt motorbikes a lot and not once has the rider has a bolt jacket.

Same for GrabBike drivers that I've used.

[sikishrory]

5 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

 

On line 6 of the story.

 

But the more interesting question is why are there no bolt or grab jackets visible?

That's what i mean. How do they know he is bolt. Not asking u. Just putting it out there. I don't blindly believe everything i read. 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

That's what i mean. How do they know he is bolt. Not asking u. Just putting it out there. I don't blindly believe everything i read. 

 

Thats going to really upset Liverpool Lou !!!!! 

 

 

Good point though - I can only assume they got that info from the passenger.

 

On 6/26/2025 at 5:05 PM, snoop1130 said:

Ten minutes later, the same rider returned with a male passenger. 

 

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I use bolt motorbikes a lot and not once has the rider has a bolt jacket.

Ever had one with a Bolt in his neck?