A pedestrian who was using a legal crosswalk in front of Asiatique The Riverfront was hit by a taxi driver yesterday, as captured in a video shared by Thai social media users.
The video swiftly spread across social media, stirring public outrage and prompting the Wat Phraya Krai police to release information about the incident. The police report indicated that they were informed about the accident at 1:36 pm on April 23.
Upon reaching the scene, emergency services and police officers found both the taxi driver, identified as Patsathi, a 58-year-old man, and the pedestrian, Thanat, a 44-year-old man. According to Patsathi’s account given to the police, he failed to stop at the crosswalk signal while driving outbound on Charoen Krung road in front of Asiatique The Riverfront, resulting in the collision with Thanat.
The incident stirred up criticism from Thai netizens, who highlighted the perceived leniency of Thai laws regarding road traffic violations, leading to a lack of strict enforcement. This sentiment was also echoed by TPN, emphasizing the need for tougher penalties for traffic law offenders.
After the accident, Thanat was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care by emergency services. Meanwhile, the police launched an investigation, gathering evidence from local CCTV footage to support the forthcoming legal procedures.
Patsathi, the taxi driver, admitted to his mistakes, with his statement being documented in a daily diary as proof. However, the police are awaiting a medical report from the doctors treating Thanat, who is reportedly in stable condition, before deciding on the appropriate legal actions against Patsathi. This medical report is essential evidence for the case to ensure that proper legal measures are taken.
