BANGKOK: A tuk-tuk driver in Phuket has been arrested and charged over the death of a British tourist and boxer who fell from his vehicle on Sunday (June 14).
Colin Cairney, 22, suffered critical injuries after the incident in the Patong area of Kathu district and died in hospital.
Pol Maj Surachat Thongyai, Inspector (Investigation) at Patong Police Station and the investigating officer in charge of the case, revealed that on Monday (June 15), officers brought in Kitphong (surname withheld), 34, a native of Phatthalung province, who was confirmed by evidence as the driver of the tuk-tuk involved, for questioning.
While driving past The Nature hotel, the location of the first drop-off, on Phra Barami Road at a normal speed, he later felt a certain abnormality with the vehicle.
However, he did not stop to inspect it until he had driven approximately 2km past the scene.
He then discovered that there were no longer any passengers in the vehicle.
However, he did not notify the police or anyone else of the incident. He only learned later that the British passenger had fallen from the vehicle and sustained severe injuries, resulting in death.
The tuk-tuk involved belongs to his older brother, from whom Kitphong rented it to provide passenger services.
From the investigation, Kitphong confessed that on the night of the incident, he picked up two foreign tourists, a male and a female, from the Soi Bangla entertainment area to take them to The Nature hotel in the Kalim Beach area.
However, upon arriving at the hotel, the tourists informed him they had no cash to pay the fare and asked him to take them to withdraw money from an ATM.
Kitphong stated that he took the male tourist, who was intoxicated, to withdraw cash from ATMs at three different locations in the nearby area, but he was unable to withdraw any money.
He therefore decided to take the passenger back to the original pickup point at Soi Bangla.
Following the investigation, officials pressed charges, including:
>Negligence causing the death of another person.
>Failing to stop the vehicle to render assistance and failing to notify officials after the incident immediately.
>During the inquiry stage, the suspect confessed to all charges.
Meanwhile, negotiations regarding compensation are currently underway with the deceased's uncle, who lives in Phuket province. - The Nation/ANN
