Police used video footage of the incident to identify Arsang Aryeegoo, 39, a red songtaew taxi-driver. The unidentified witness ensured police took action as the video was posted up on social media websites and instantly went viral.
Aryeegoo told the arresting officers that he had hit the victim, but claimed that the man threw money at him to pay for the fare. A representative from Chiang Mai’s Japanese consulate accompanied Mr Esike to the police station to confront his assailant.
Mr Esike declined to press charges against the taxi driver and instead said that he was happy his assailant had been identified. Police say Aryeegoo could still face assault and battery charges which carry a sentence of up to six months in jail.
Chiang Mai’s urban transportation network is minimal and songtaews and tuktuks act as substitutes. Songtaews are converted pickup trucks with a roof and bench seats while tuktuks are motorised rickshaws.
Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most popular tourism destinations and attracts with its access to diverse activities and beautiful mountain landscapes. 12GO ASIA sells tickets for trains and buses to Chiang Mai from other key in-country locations.
Chiang Mai police nab cabbie for tourist assault
News in Asia
Police in Chiang Mai yesterday arrested a taxi-driver accused of punching an elderly Japanese tourist in the face. Police acted on a complaint lodged by the victim, 78-year-old Shimota Esike, who told them that he was assaulted as he paid his fare.