Taxi Driver Blinded in 1 Eye After Bangkok Fare Assault

A 61-year-old ride-hailing driver is seeking justice after alleging he was brutally assaulted by five Myanmar passengers during a dispute over a 50-baht expressway toll in Bangkok’s neighbouring Samut Prakan province. The attack left him permanently blind in one eye, unable to work, and now registered as a person with a disability.

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The driver, identified only as Supachai, filed a complaint on 6 July 2026, through the Sai Mai Tong Rod assistance centre, claiming the investigation has made little progress nearly three months after the alleged assault because police have not located the suspects.

According to Supachai, the incident took place on 12 April after he accepted a booking to collect five Myanmar nationals - three men and two women - from Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok and take them to a hotel in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan.

During the journey, Supachai said he asked whether the passengers wanted to use the expressway to avoid heavy traffic. Although they initially appeared reluctant, they eventually agreed, prompting him to pay the 50-baht toll.

When they arrived at the hotel, the ride-hailing app showed a fare of 720 baht. Supachai said he requested a total of 770 baht, including the toll, but the passengers refused to pay the additional 50 baht and accused him of overcharging.

He alleged that a male passenger seated in the front, who could speak Thai, tried to photograph him. After Supachai objected, an argument broke out before he was repeatedly punched in the face and lost consciousness. He said all five passengers fled without paying the fare.

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Supachai later regained consciousness at Bang Phli Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a fractured right eye socket, head trauma and bleeding on the brain. Further examinations found severe damage to his right eye, resulting in permanent loss of vision. He said he continues to suffer headaches and dizziness and can no longer work as a driver.

After leaving hospital, Supachai reported the case to Bang Kaew Police Station. However, he claimed investigators obtained only the suspects’ names and passport numbers, without recording their addresses, workplaces or contact details, making it difficult to trace them. He added that enquiries with immigration authorities and recruitment agencies have so far failed to locate the group.

Khaosod reported that Ekkapop Luangprasert, founder of the Sai Mai Tong Rod page, said he would contact the superintendent of Bang Kaew Police Station to follow up on the investigation. He said the case should not be difficult to investigate because CCTV cameras at the hotel where the alleged assault took place could help identify the suspects, and urged police to speed up the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 7 July 2026

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