Taxi Driver Prevented from Jumping Off Footbridge After Dispute

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

A 47-year-old motorbike taxi driver was rescued after threatening to jump from a footbridge in central Bangkok, following a family dispute that left him distressed and desperate.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 on 2 September on the pedestrian bridge outside the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Sen Nok, Phaya Thai District. Police Sub-Lieutenant Chamnarn Sriring, deputy inspector of Suthisan Police Station, along with officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers, responded immediately.

At the scene, the man was seen standing on the edge of the bridge, visibly crying and agitated, causing alarm to passing motorists and pedestrians. Authorities closed several outbound lanes of the road and attempted to calm him. The man, identified only as Mr. Jare, reportedly wanted to see his wife, who had left their home three days earlier, taking their twin children with her after an argument.

Emergency responders coordinated with relatives and deployed a fire service rescue ladder, to assist. After approximately 30 minutes, they successfully brought Mr. Jare to safety.

The man’s younger brother told reporters that Mr. Jare works as a motorbike taxi driver near Soi Inthamara 23 and had become highly stressed after the dispute. He also suffers from diabetes, which further exacerbated his distress.

Police confirmed that Mr. Jare was taken to Suthisan Police Station to calm down. Efforts were ongoing to mediate between him, his wife and relatives. No charges have yet been filed.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-09-03