Pattaya Motorbike Taxi Driver arrested following recent death of Frenchman

PATTAYA:-- On Monday Evening Pattaya Police arrested Khun Nopakoon aged 41, a motorbike taxi driver working at the Jomtien Complex who was wanted for questioning in connection with an incident which occurred on 3rd March with a Frenchman who later died in Hospital.

Story and pictures

HERE

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

2010-03-30

Ohh dear, I wonder if there were any witnesses?

Another violent death of a foreigner on a main street in town, which was not even mentioned in the local media until now, almost a month later.

the fear that the thai motorbike driver had was sufficent to let him off with a 200 baht fine

These 74 yo french guys are very tough you know

rip

JUSTICE FOR A CHANGE

I don't' know anything other than what has been reported in the foreign press about this matter...but as a general rule, it is not a good idea to get into any type of physical altercation with Thai men unless you are very good with your dukes. Just about all of them have participated in Muay Thai while they were growing up and many furthered their training in the Thai military.

If you should have some disagreement with one, just walk away. This is just a piece of general advice...I know nothing of the specifics of this case. Whatever it was, however, it surely was not worth sustaining a lethal injury.

My sincere condolences to the Frenchman's friends and family.

I don't' know anything other than what has been reported in the foreign press about this matter...but as a general rule, it is not a good idea to get into any type of physical altercation with Thai men unless you are very good with your dukes. Just about all of them have participated in Muay Thai while they were growing up and many furthered their training in the Thai military.

If you should have some disagreement with one, just walk away. This is just a piece of general advice...I know nothing of the specifics of this case. Whatever it was, however, it surely was not worth sustaining a lethal injury.

He was 74.

And if ever a fit farang were to get one on their own I would bet on the farang. Thais dont tend to pick worthy oponents unless they are in numbers.

He was 74.

I agree. If some one aged 70+ was giving me grief, I would walk away.

It's manslaughter. Simple as that, if you accept his story, which I don't.

Otherwise it is murder, and the difference between the two will be - witnesses. It will be terrible if this was a fight about an inflated fare.

It's manslaughter. Simple as that, if you accept his story, which I don't.

Otherwise it is murder, and the difference between the two will be - witnesses. It will be terrible if this was a fight about an inflated fare.

It is terrible no matter what it is over what possible insult or slur would justify hitting a 74 year old man in the head? I can't think of one. It is yet another disgusting crime and it should be murder, witnesses or no witnesses. So much for respecting your elders.

Am getting tired of having to live in fear in this country. Yesterday I turned into a small soi in Pattaya and almost ran into a very large expensive car that had stopped in the middle of the street. The driver was using his mobile! I was going to honk the horn however my Thai companion told me just to wait since the driver might have a gun. Last week when driving down one of the small sois from Second Road to Pattaya Beach Road we encountered another large expensive car coming up towards us driving the wrong way in a one way soi. The driver actually honked his horn and expected me to reverse back when I was going the right way! Since I was alone this time I just got out of the car and stood on the side reading the newspaper. The driver shouted at me and then reversed back himself. Told my Thai companion who is expecting the local heavies to turn up at the condo to get me. This is truly an amazing place.

Similar to the Motorcycle taxis honking at me for walking on their sidewalk

Am getting tired of having to live in fear in this country. Yesterday I turned into a small soi in Pattaya and almost ran into a very large expensive car that had stopped in the middle of the street. The driver was using his mobile! I was going to honk the horn however my Thai companion told me just to wait since the driver might have a gun. Last week when driving down one of the small sois from Second Road to Pattaya Beach Road we encountered another large expensive car coming up towards us driving the wrong way in a one way soi. The driver actually honked his horn and expected me to reverse back when I was going the right way! Since I was alone this time I just got out of the car and stood on the side reading the newspaper. The driver shouted at me and then reversed back himself. Told my Thai companion who is expecting the local heavies to turn up at the condo to get me. This is truly an amazing place.

Well, I would desist from this sort of behaviour immediately if I were you.

The only thing it will acheive is a good kicking for you.

Am getting tired of having to live in fear in this country.

What nonesense, why are you living in fear, has it got something to do with the places you frequent. I don't live in fear here. I also have common sense not to go to or through certain places at certain times, this rule applies world over.

Am getting tired of having to live in fear in this country. Yesterday I turned into a small soi in Pattaya and almost ran into a very large expensive car that had stopped in the middle of the street. The driver was using his mobile! I was going to honk the horn however my Thai companion told me just to wait since the driver might have a gun. Last week when driving down one of the small sois from Second Road to Pattaya Beach Road we encountered another large expensive car coming up towards us driving the wrong way in a one way soi. The driver actually honked his horn and expected me to reverse back when I was going the right way! Since I was alone this time I just got out of the car and stood on the side reading the newspaper. The driver shouted at me and then reversed back himself. Told my Thai companion who is expecting the local heavies to turn up at the condo to get me. This is truly an amazing place.

You are letting your imagination get the better of you!

Now I know why the New police chief choose the motorbike taxi's as his deputy's some time ago.

It is because most of them stay very close to him in the free housing departement at soi 9.

It never amazes me when I read over and over about foreigners in Thailand complaining about the local customs and culture (whether you like it or not...and if not...why are you here) and then standing on their "rights" and when they get bashed in the head or gunned down by some Beemer driving VIP they complain even more.

As we all know (and should take to heart if you voluntarily live here) that Thailand is a hierarchical class-based society. You may not like it and it may not be "fair" from your farang perspective but as another saying goes...the nail that sticks out will be hammered down.

Am getting tired of having to live in fear in this country. Yesterday I turned into a small soi in Pattaya and almost ran into a very large expensive car that had stopped in the middle of the street. The driver was using his mobile! I was going to honk the horn however my Thai companion told me just to wait since the driver might have a gun. Last week when driving down one of the small sois from Second Road to Pattaya Beach Road we encountered another large expensive car coming up towards us driving the wrong way in a one way soi. The driver actually honked his horn and expected me to reverse back when I was going the right way! Since I was alone this time I just got out of the car and stood on the side reading the newspaper. The driver shouted at me and then reversed back himself. Told my Thai companion who is expecting the local heavies to turn up at the condo to get me. This is truly an amazing place.