Farang got Stabbed

[hughben]

Is it me, or does the man with the sword in the video have far more hair than the one arrested who is thinning on top?

[katana]

Apparently the deceased had a 38 year old Thai wife, Khantima Pilkington. They'd been formally married for 3 years.
She said he was a family man, he didn't drink and was a fun person. The only thing he didn't like was people trying to cheat him which he wouldn't tolerate in any manner.
On the day of the murder he'd gone for a haircut to Central Bangna Dept store and that's when she heard of the murder.
Mrs Pilkington doesn't believe the murder was sparked by her husband not paying the fare because he had enough money on him. Rather, the cause was the taxi driver trying to cheat over the fare and her husband attempting to leave the cab and continue the journey on the Sky Train, the station for which was nearby to the area the incident occurred.
The funeral will be on Thursday with the ashes being returned to a cemetery in his home state of Idaho where his father is buried.
http://www.dailynews.co.th/crime/217628

Did you see how the Bangkok Post article cited the blade being 18cm in length despite it being as long as his arm?

The longer than blade the more intent to kill so I think they have a vested interested in saying it's a short blade. At one point it looks like the blade is wacked against the guys neck but it doesn't look like the guy wielding the sword really knows what he's doing with it.

Well it's gone from 18cm to now "one-foot-long". Either way still grossly understated

The earlier Thai Daily News report on the story states the knife was 18" so the later BKK Post's 18 cm is likely a typo/translation error.

[katana]

The taxi driver's (Mr Choetchai) version of the story in Today's Thairath:
"I picked up Mr Pilkington opposite Central Bangna Dept Store and was taking him to his house on Sukhumwit 85. Sometime into the journey around Sukhumwit Soi 68, with the meter reading 51 Baht, the traffic became very congested and Mr Pilkington began loudly complaining that I was trying to cheat him. He proceeded to get out of the taxi and walk off. I opened the passenger side window and asked him for the money and he responded by throwing a cup of coffee over me that he had been carrying. I snapped, took the sword from the boot and stabbed him to death before fleeing in my taxi."

Investigating officer Police Colonel Thawatkiat added a few more details (a lot of this must be supposition though since there were no witnesses other than the driver):
"Mr Pilkington had been in Thailand for 3 years and spoke Thai well. He lived in an apartment on Sukhumwit Soi 85 with his Thai gf.
The deceased thought the meter had been tampered with and was displaying the incorrect fare so got out the taxi. When he was challenged and asked to pay, he threw a cup of coffee over the driver, which drove him into a fury and the stabbing occurred. We have the checked the meter and it hasn't been tampered with. A fare of 51 Baht up to soi 68 is reasonable for that distance.
I believe Mr Pilkington had become irritable seeing the meter rise while stuck in the traffic and making no progress, which led to the tragic incident.
An investigation into Mr Choetchai's previous convictions revealed that he'd been arrested for possession of crystal methamphetamine 15 years ago in Chaiyapum province."

[Jingthing]

crystal methamphetamine?

Uh huh.

Somehow that make a lot more sense than the COFFEE story.

[pokerspiv]

It is an atrocious attack by a Thai. Many of us are highly embarassed, and we are very saddened. However, that is no reason to call all Thais, or taxi drivers for additional matter barbaric, machete wielding killers, as a result of one solitary bad incident.

Every country has its angered people, and emotionally uncontrolled people, in momentary out-bursts that end up with murder.

Please consider all other law abiding Thais, that many of you seem to want to gel into the same group as this disturbed man.

I hope for consolidation and, soon, closure for Mr. Pilkington's family; but please, stop writing dirt about Thais and Thailand as a generalisation.

Sunisa.

I certainly think many of the Thais I know would be outraged by this incident - there are far more good, law abiding people in this country, then scum like this Taxi driver. Sadly though, Thailand reputation continues to get worse around the world, with incidents like this and other scams. It's not helped when the government is run by a convicted criminal fugitive, and has other thugs in positions of power.

Why bring politics into it? Would you prefer the country to be run by an anti-democratic, ultra-royalist elite?

Yes.

[klubex99]

It is an atrocious attack by a Thai. Many of us are highly embarassed, and we are very saddened. However, that is no reason to call all Thais, or taxi drivers for additional matter barbaric, machete wielding killers, as a result of one solitary bad incident.

Every country has its angered people, and emotionally uncontrolled people, in momentary out-bursts that end up with murder.

Please consider all other law abiding Thais, that many of you seem to want to gel into the same group as this disturbed man.

I hope for consolidation and, soon, closure for Mr. Pilkington's family; but please, stop writing dirt about Thais and Thailand as a generalisation.

Sunisa.

I certainly think many of the Thais I know would be outraged by this incident - there are far more good, law abiding people in this country, then scum like this Taxi driver. Sadly though, Thailand reputation continues to get worse around the world, with incidents like this and other scams. It's not helped when the government is run by a convicted criminal fugitive, and has other thugs in positions of power.

Why bring politics into it? Would you prefer the country to be run by an anti-democratic, ultra-royalist elite?

Yes.

I thought it already was.

[pokerspiv]

It is upsetting enough, for all involved. However, to continue to dictate negativity about Thailand; Thais; and to generalise and mark down life here is, for me, more upsetting. This is not a daily occurance, and I have expressed Thai sympathy in this matter. I have tried to explain that Thailand will take this matter seriously, very much so. Yet there are still wanton negative remarks that flow. This event is not a normal daily event, especially against foreigners by taxi drivers in general. I am saddened by the continued detriment to my people and homeland.

I studied in England, and I saw as much unruly violence on a daily basis as here, if not worse. Knife carrying in the British youth is something that staggered me. Deaths my stabbing astounded me. Can't we agree to agree that this event is not particular to Bangkok?

Sunisa.

The point is that being sorry and expressing sympathy is not really good enough. Sooner or later, Thailand will actually have to do something about the corrupt police and lawlessness of the country.

And no, I don't think anyone will agree that this is equally likely to happen in the UK as much as Bangkok. Thailand has one of the highest murder rates in Asia (4 times the rate in the UK), and is the most dangerous destination for tourists in the world. Until Thai people like yourself are at least willing to admit that there is a problem, the problem will remain.

[Jingthing]

Well, it is objectively true Thailand is very dangerous for tourists and expats, but the biggest risks are probably from traffic accidents rather than homicide. Also I don't remember the LAST TIME a foreigner was hacked to death by a samurai sword in Bangkok. That's certainly not every day.

[genobkk]

This is very sad but as we have seen from channel 3 and police statements they are taking the taxi drivers word. We all know that the word of a foreigner means nothing if against a Thai, well this foreigner is dead so how do u expect this to end?

It is not bad mouthing Thais to say the truth and that their is no justice for us here. No excuse for what that taxi driver did, even if his lie was true it should mean nothing in a real civilized country.

I have been in Bangkok since 2001 and notice taxis are much worse and I have had several close calls. Yes constantly having people cheat you just because of your skin color gets old very fast. I have got out and refused to pay, one refused meter, drove 300 meters or more told me double the price I said no, meter, finally he turned the meter on, then made that thai annoying sigh and said something I could no hear so I just open the door and made him stop, 40 THB on the meter, I left the back door open, ran away jumpy in another taxi. They have know morals and since reds shirts have all the power now they are even worse.

To me this is a mafia style message to tell foreigners pay what we want or else, plain and simple.

As I said in another post I was almost assaulted when my Thai friend ask a taxi to turn off red radio, he kicked us out kept driving by and got out to chase us when some Thais yelled at him, then he got back in his car. It is a real issue and a serious one that is not being addressed on this form for sure.

It seems most posters here think that we should pay what they ask and let them s few us hood, I am nice to drivers who do their and tip, but never should the tip be equal to the meter price, then you just are causing this issue to get worse

[genobkk]

Sorry for my bad typing in my last post

[RigPig]

I'm concerned this murderer is going to become a kind of folk hero among a segment of Thai people.

Certainly, many feel that westerners complain too much, are suspicious of being scammed even when they're not being scammed, and don't behave in the Thai way, whatever that is.

The coffee throwing, which is hard to believe, will no doubt be believed by many, whether there is any evidence other than the murderer's low value word. Just having coffee on his clothes if he does is meaningless, he can throw coffee on himself.

Bangkok taxi drivers have a political association with the red shirt movement, that is well known.

Many are of course armed for personal protection/business enforcement reasons but during red shirt flare ups, they can become part of a potential army.

I am concerned this news story and following trial are going to stir up some ugly anti-western xenophobia. Never far from the surface already of course.

My gut feeling is this is not just another murder case, but one that is going to represent much more to many people, Thai and western.

It really shouldn't, objectively it's just another murder case, but I think it WILL.

I am afraid you are right.

Talked about this case yesterday with some Thai friends, 2 working in banks, 1 running a small business. Typical Thai middle class. And they all shocked me by saying, the farang got what he deserved, for not respecting the "Thai way"

When I looked like a questionmark, they explained, the only "face" for the taxidriver, was his role as a taxidriver. And with that questioned, he had nothing left to loose. My friends didn't even think, that his reaction was OTT.

If that is the general attitude of Thais, we all have a very steep learningcurve ahead of us !

Don't insult Thais, don't throw coffee in someones face, pay your taxi fare, don't attack the man with a machete in his hand.

Should be not difficult to learn.

OR

Accept being abused, accept being stolen from, don't defend yourself.

You MIGHT live

So much for jai yen yen.......

Edited July 8, 2013 by RigPig

[klubex99]

It is upsetting enough, for all involved. However, to continue to dictate negativity about Thailand; Thais; and to generalise and mark down life here is, for me, more upsetting. This is not a daily occurance, and I have expressed Thai sympathy in this matter. I have tried to explain that Thailand will take this matter seriously, very much so. Yet there are still wanton negative remarks that flow. This event is not a normal daily event, especially against foreigners by taxi drivers in general. I am saddened by the continued detriment to my people and homeland.

I studied in England, and I saw as much unruly violence on a daily basis as here, if not worse. Knife carrying in the British youth is something that staggered me. Deaths my stabbing astounded me. Can't we agree to agree that this event is not particular to Bangkok?

Sunisa.

The point is that being sorry and expressing sympathy is not really good enough. Sooner or later, Thailand will actually have to do something about the corrupt police and lawlessness of the country.

And no, I don't think anyone will agree that this is equally likely to happen in the UK as much as Bangkok. Thailand has one of the highest murder rates in Asia (4 times the rate in the UK), and is the most dangerous destination for tourists in the world. Until Thai people like yourself are at least willing to admit that there is a problem, the problem will remain.

+100 from me. No point whining about foreigners venting their anger at Thailand, Thais or whatever. That is always going to happen, people show their feelings in different ways, and people also say it as they see it, and to be honest, there is a lot to see that goes on here that people find shocking.

There is also no point drawing comparisons between Thailand and western countries, because the people voicing their opinions are living here, and are obviously more concerned about events here than their homeland where they no longer live. It is quite natural for people to see this as a 'thailand problem' because it is very frustrating to have to watch these things happen and have absolutely zero say in the matter. That say, sits with Thai citizens only, our hands are bound.

If Thais are pissed off with this happening and when they read the reactions of the powerless, then it's time to stop getting angry and start doing something about it. It's not rocket science.

[RigPig]

The one thing that strkes me I have seen on this forum is people continually stating that foreiners should be more tolerant and accept the vile behaviour of the Thai minority that act in this despicable manor, and to some extent even accept it, it is what it is......

WRONG, it doesn't matter how badly somone behaves (even when intoxicated, tolerance is a 2 way street) they don't deserve to loose their life over it (self defence or defence of yourself, your family or loved ones excepted), there are "civilised" ways of dealing with conflicting issues, either party can walk away. Shouting and gestating because you are angry and frustrated is a normal way of venting you feelings, going to the trunk of your car and getting a sword (or reaching for a gun) is not.

I seriously question what would have happened if this unfortunate man had disarmed the taxi driver and this turned out the other way...........

I am sure he was carrying the sword to use with his som tam for lunch, oh no it was for "self defence", thats why it was in the trunk.......

The same goes for "Farangs" too, there have been a few too many of those incidents lately as well, buying a knife at a 7/11, taking pot shots at someone that owes you money........

A sad endightment on the human race, but it should not be tolerated, full stop !!!

Shouting and gestating because you are angry and frustrated is a normal way of venting you feelings

Maybe a psychotherapist could help with your "normal way of venting your feelings"

And assulting somone with a sword is OK?

You have NEVER lost it and raised your voice...NEVER...Buddah

Edited July 8, 2013 by RigPig

[SCARLETIBIS1]

The taxi driver's (Mr Choetchai) version of the story in Today's Thairath:

"I picked up Mr Pilkington opposite Central Bangna Dept Store and was taking him to his house on Sukhumwit 85. Sometime into the journey around Sukhumwit Soi 68, with the meter reading 51 Baht, the traffic became very congested and Mr Pilkington began loudly complaining that I was trying to cheat him. He proceeded to get out of the taxi and walk off. I opened the passenger side window and asked him for the money and he responded by throwing a cup of coffee over me that he had been carrying. I snapped, took the sword from the boot and stabbed him to death before fleeing in my taxi."

Investigating officer Police Colonel Thawatkiat added a few more details (a lot of this must be supposition though since there were no witnesses other than the driver):

"Mr Pilkington had been in Thailand for 3 years and spoke Thai well. He lived in an apartment on Sukhumwit Soi 85 with his Thai gf.

The deceased thought the meter had been tampered with and was displaying the incorrect fare so got out the taxi. When he was challenged and asked to pay, he threw a cup of coffee over the driver, which drove him into a fury and the stabbing occurred. We have the checked the meter and it hasn't been tampered with. A fare of 51 Baht up to soi 68 is reasonable for that distance.

I believe Mr Pilkington had become irritable seeing the meter rise while stuck in the traffic and making no progress, which led to the tragic incident.

An investigation into Mr Choetchai's previous convictions revealed that he'd been arrested for possession of crystal methamphetamine 15 years ago in Chaiyapum province."

So, the guy got out of the cab ( we still do not know if he was in the front seat or back seat but most people get in the back) and he just stood there waiting for the cab driver to roll down the window (knowing that was what he was going to do) and then threw coffee at him? And this is a guy who probably has taken several cabs the same route and knows that 51 baht is about the right price for a ride that distance.

This is getting more absurd all the time. And how does the cop know what the reading was on the meter at the time of the slaying? Maybe the cabbie started the meter with a bogus starting price. I've seen it happen myself. Can the cabbies fix the meter to start it at any price? Just asking. I think they can. And how would the cop know if it had been tampered with anyway? What do tampered with meters look like? More rubbish.

This story never made any logical sense from the beginning. And it won't get any better for the cabbie no matter how much some of these inept posters try to make it appear.

And what happened to all those "witnesses"? Did I miss something here or did the report say there were NO other witnesses? All you cabbie loving idiots can get in line and apologize anytime.

Edited July 8, 2013 by SCARLETIBIS1

[Munger]

Absolutely dreadful.

Don't argue with Thais, because their lack of appreciation for the gift of life is so scant, this is an all too common reaction.

If life is so sacred to Buddhists, then tell me why Thailand is head and shoulders above any other nation in the murder of tourists and expats.

probably because more American and Russian tourist coming here now!! Not saying its ok to run around stabbing people with a sword. but used as an example Americans don't carry a lot of popularity around the world thanks to there foreign policies.... In general there are a lot more arrogant wealthy visitors to Thailand

So blame the Americans and their foreign policies. Wow, and did Obama change them ? or not.

[pedro01]

It is upsetting enough, for all involved. However, to continue to dictate negativity about Thailand; Thais; and to generalise and mark down life here is, for me, more upsetting. This is not a daily occurance, and I have expressed Thai sympathy in this matter. I have tried to explain that Thailand will take this matter seriously, very much so. Yet there are still wanton negative remarks that flow. This event is not a normal daily event, especially against foreigners by taxi drivers in general. I am saddened by the continued detriment to my people and homeland.

I studied in England, and I saw as much unruly violence on a daily basis as here, if not worse. Knife carrying in the British youth is something that staggered me. Deaths my stabbing astounded me. Can't we agree to agree that this event is not particular to Bangkok?

Sunisa.

Your homeland is the UK. Give it up already.

My father is British. I am Thai, as I see myself. I grew up here, studied hard and understand my homeland. I don't know what your insinuation is, but I knew I would get this, for trying to attempt to give a Thai point of view in a Western forum. I knew I was unwelcome from the outset, and your post proves such as my thoughts hold.

Thank you for your inspiration to not venture further on this site.

Sunisa.

There are a number of things that point out that you are not a native Thai but rather a recent resident. You are registered here as a female from Pathumtani, you are clearly neither.

There is one thing you are NOT doing here and that is giving a Thai point of view. Rather, you are painfully trying to portray what you think is a Thai point of view but doing so with a very Western mindset. You are not culturally Thai. Most of the Thais that have worked for me in my 15 years here were educated overseas. They still remain very much Thai in the same way that you and I remain English, Americans remain American, the Dutch stay Dutch etc.

A few days ago, when you first appeared here, you came along trying to use a few Thai colloquialisms. The first one you tried out was " Baa - Khun ting tong na!". I'm not going to educate you about that one or on the "Alai na?" you used.

The stuff you have written in English is much more enlightening and gives away the fact you are about as Thai as a scotch egg. Of course, now you are claiming to be half-Thai because you know you can't really keep up the pretense of being Thai.

It'd be no different than you pretending to be a French or German woman on an expat forum out there. This would be apparent very quickly because of your misuse of local language and the grammatical tells that come from you growing up in England.

Note also that, as you full well know - a couple of days a go I pointed out that you are English, prior to you mentioning any connection with England. Now you are trying to keep things going by making out you are an expat kid.

Whatever gets you through the night, I guess...

Edited July 8, 2013 by pedro01

[wooloomooloo]

Having read only the first few pages and the last, is there a news story stating the falang was stabbed to death and his identity and nationality.

[Jingthing]

Having read only the first few pages and the last, is there a news story stating the falang was stabbed to death and his identity and nationality.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/American-hacked-to-death-over-Bt51-30209924.html

Edited July 8, 2013 by Jingthing

[monkeycountry]

The Thai man who murdered his wife's lover just a few days ago said it all. "A true man can be killed, but he cannot be insulted". As I commented on that story, I think alot of Thai men, especially the armed ones, think exactly like that, and I sadly suppose the machete guy proves me right :-(

[Jingthing]

Will he get a lesser sentence because of the coffee throwing story? I'm confident he'll be convicted of murder but not sure how the Thai justice system deals with so called motivations.

[kannot]

The taxi driver's (Mr Choetchai) version of the story in Today's Thairath:

"I picked up Mr Pilkington opposite Central Bangna Dept Store and was taking him to his house on Sukhumwit 85. Sometime into the journey around Sukhumwit Soi 68, with the meter reading 51 Baht, the traffic became very congested and Mr Pilkington began loudly complaining that I was trying to cheat him. He proceeded to get out of the taxi and walk off. I opened the passenger side window and asked him for the money and he responded by throwing a cup of coffee over me that he had been carrying. I snapped, took the sword from the boot and stabbed him to death before fleeing in my taxi."

Investigating officer Police Colonel Thawatkiat added a few more details (a lot of this must be supposition though since there were no witnesses other than the driver):

"Mr Pilkington had been in Thailand for 3 years and spoke Thai well. He lived in an apartment on Sukhumwit Soi 85 with his Thai gf.

The deceased thought the meter had been tampered with and was displaying the incorrect fare so got out the taxi. When he was challenged and asked to pay, he threw a cup of coffee over the driver, which drove him into a fury and the stabbing occurred. We have the checked the meter and it hasn't been tampered with. A fare of 51 Baht up to soi 68 is reasonable for that distance.

I believe Mr Pilkington had become irritable seeing the meter rise while stuck in the traffic and making no progress, which led to the tragic incident.

An investigation into Mr Choetchai's previous convictions revealed that he'd been arrested for possession of crystal methamphetamine 15 years ago in Chaiyapum province."

So, the guy got out of the cab ( we still do not know if he was in the front seat or back seat but most people get in the back) and he just stood there waiting for the cab driver to roll down the window (knowing that was what he was going to do) and then threw coffee at him? And this is a guy who probably has taken several cabs the same route and knows that 51 baht is about the right price for a ride that distance.

This is getting more absurd all the time. And how does the cop know what the reading was on the meter at the time of the slaying? Maybe the cabbie started the meter with a bogus starting price. I've seen it happen myself. Can the cabbies fix the meter to start it at any price? Just asking. I think they can. And how would the cop know if it had been tampered with anyway? What do tampered with meters look like? More rubbish.

This story never made any logical sense from the beginning. And it won't get any better for the cabbie no matter how much some of these inept posters try to make it appear.

And what happened to all those "witnesses"? Did I miss something here or did the report say there were NO other witnesses? All you cabbie loving idiots can get in line and apologize anytime.

No witnesses yet stuck in traffic, guess all their windows were so black they saw nothing.

[wooloomooloo]

Thanks, Jingthing.

The first thing that struck me about the article was that the American's name wasn't mentioned, a scanned copy of his passport, yes, but not named. Very strange reporting and not I'm not going to presume to why.

As Mr Pilkington is now obviously deceased, there's only one side to this story and that's the story of the alleged killer.

Whatever occurred, I'm sure he didn't deserve to die.

[monkeycountry]

The taxi driver's (Mr Choetchai) version of the story in Today's Thairath:

"I picked up Mr Pilkington opposite Central Bangna Dept Store and was taking him to his house on Sukhumwit 85. Sometime into the journey around Sukhumwit Soi 68, with the meter reading 51 Baht, the traffic became very congested and Mr Pilkington began loudly complaining that I was trying to cheat him. He proceeded to get out of the taxi and walk off. I opened the passenger side window and asked him for the money and he responded by throwing a cup of coffee over me that he had been carrying. I snapped, took the sword from the boot and stabbed him to death before fleeing in my taxi."

Investigating officer Police Colonel Thawatkiat added a few more details (a lot of this must be supposition though since there were no witnesses other than the driver):

"Mr Pilkington had been in Thailand for 3 years and spoke Thai well. He lived in an apartment on Sukhumwit Soi 85 with his Thai gf.

The deceased thought the meter had been tampered with and was displaying the incorrect fare so got out the taxi. When he was challenged and asked to pay, he threw a cup of coffee over the driver, which drove him into a fury and the stabbing occurred. We have the checked the meter and it hasn't been tampered with. A fare of 51 Baht up to soi 68 is reasonable for that distance.

I believe Mr Pilkington had become irritable seeing the meter rise while stuck in the traffic and making no progress, which led to the tragic incident.

An investigation into Mr Choetchai's previous convictions revealed that he'd been arrested for possession of crystal methamphetamine 15 years ago in Chaiyapum province."

And as expected the police start investigating if the meter worked properly or if coffee was actually thrown etc.

An investigation by a real police force would skip all that and get to the point. The driver attacked an unarmed man with a sword and killed him. What happened prior to that is completely irrelevant!

[tropo]

Will he get a lesser sentence because of the coffee throwing story? I'm confident he'll be convicted of murder but not sure how the Thai justice system deals with so called motivations.

He'll get a lessor sentence because throwing a cup of coffee is a very serious offense. Of course we're never going to know, but if he did throw anything it was probably only his empty cup.

If he did throw a cup of coffee though the open window, then forensics can perhaps find coffee stains in the car. If they do, then the accused has a reasonable excuse for attacking the American with a machete. Chidchai apparently mentioned that he didn't expect the American would die, so it's not pre-meditated murder... because why would anyone expect a person to die after being hit on the head with a machete?

[sjaak327]

I don't think anyone has said or even implied that he "deserved to die". However, it can equally be said that to get upset/angry about a 51 baht cab fare is foolish. He could have just paid and walked away.

I guess killing someone over an alleged 51 baht taxi fare and a bit of alleged coffee thrown in for good measure is absolutely unbelievable. Here is to hoping the Thai justice system finally deliver some real justice and award the maximum penalty (life in prison) as I cannot honestly see this guy being ever able to return to society.

Edited July 8, 2013 by sjaak327

[twinpin]

We live in hope. Would I put my shirt on him going to spend a long time in the slammer Nooooooo.

It would be a safer bet that he gets acquitted. Serious loss of face, and no intent to kill.

That is If it ever gets to court. He will most likely get bail and off he goes never to be seen again.

[NoshowJones]

AVOID CONFLICT with Thais at all costs

I agree and learned that from ... Thai (they also avoid conflict!). Some years ago I bought a pack of hair elastics, worth 15 bath. When I got home and opened the package it seemed all elastics were "rotten". I told my thai pal I was going to take them back to the store (typical farang reaction, i didn't care about the 15 bath but wanted to tell the seller his goods were decayed). My friend said not to do it, just accept it and buy new ones somewhere else. Live and learn.

So........in any conflict with a Thai, fall to your knees, perform a deep wai, beg forgiveness for being a lowly farang, and hand over any amount of money the Thai wants ??? Ok no problem...

I don't know if you were quoting me or not, but I did state: "avoid confrontations at all costs" in an earlier reply. Conflicts will always occur, but they don't have to be escalated to confrontations.

IMHO, the victim had three choices when confronted by the taxi driver wielding a sword: 1) Start reaching for cash 2) Try a running escape 3) Do what he did. I probably would have been reaching for my cash and considered it a learning experience and either extortion at swordpoint or an armed robbery.

I would run, just as I did when an Eastern European who was one of three, attacked me in the street when I was making my way back to my hotel when I was back in Scotland two years ago.

[SCARLETIBIS1]

Will he get a lesser sentence because of the coffee throwing story? I'm confident he'll be convicted of murder but not sure how the Thai justice system deals with so called motivations.

He'll get a lessor sentence because throwing a cup of coffee is a very serious offense. Of course we're never going to know, but if he did throw anything it was probably only his empty cup.

If he did throw a cup of coffee though the open window, then forensics can perhaps find coffee stains in the car. If they do, then the accused has a reasonable excuse for attacking the American with a machete. Chidchai apparently mentioned that he didn't expect the American would die, so it's not pre-meditated murder... because why would anyone expect a person to die after being hit on the head with a machete?

I get it, but it doubt any Thais on this forum get it. Get it? Then again, it would all depend on the brand of the coffee. Some brands have a lot more caffeine in them and therefore not his fault if he was all jacked up for some reason. The cabbie should have looked at the brand on the cup of coffee before he attacked the guy. Totally mitigating situation here.

Edited July 9, 2013 by SCARLETIBIS1

[dave111223]

And as expected the police start investigating if the meter worked properly or if coffee was actually thrown etc.

An investigation by a real police force would skip all that and get to the point. The driver attacked an unarmed man with a sword and killed him. What happened prior to that is completely irrelevant!

Yes of course, 'real' police would show up and say "yup, dead guy, go directly to jail"

[YoungBrit]

Rip to the victim!