Taxi Driver Blinded After Assault Over 50-Baht Toll

A 61-year-old ride-hailing driver has sought justice after alleging he was severely beaten by five Myanmar passengers in a dispute over a 50-baht expressway toll, leaving him blind in one eye and unable to work.

The driver, identified only as Supachai, filed a complaint through the Sai Mai Tong Rod assistance centre in Bangkok, saying the case has made little progress nearly three months after the incident because police have yet to locate the suspects.

According to Supachai, the incident occurred on 12 April after he accepted a booking to pick up five Myanmar nationals – three men and two women – from Bangkok's Mo Chit Bus Terminal and drive them to a hotel in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan.

During the journey, he asked the passengers whether they wished to use the expressway to avoid heavy traffic. He said they initially appeared reluctant but eventually agreed, prompting him to pay the 50-baht toll in advance.

When they arrived at the hotel, the ride-hailing app showed a fare of 720 baht. Supachai said he requested a total of 770 baht, including the toll, but the passengers refused to pay the additional 50 baht, accusing him of overcharging.

He alleged that a male passenger sitting in the front seat, who could speak Thai, attempted to photograph him. After he objected, an argument broke out and he was repeatedly punched in the face before losing consciousness. He said all five passengers fled without paying the fare.

Supachai said he later regained consciousness at Bang Phli Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a fractured right eye socket, head trauma and bleeding in the brain. Further examinations found severe damage to his right eye, which permanently lost vision. He said he continues to suffer headaches and dizziness and is no longer able to work as a driver. He has since been registered as a person with a disability.

He reported the incident to Bang Kaew Police Station after being discharged from hospital. However, he claimed investigators only obtained the suspects' names and passport numbers, without collecting their addresses, workplaces or contact details, making it difficult to track them down. He said inquiries with immigration authorities and recruitment agencies have so far failed to locate the suspects.

Ekkapop Luangprasert, founder of the Sai Mai Tong Rod page, said he would contact the superintendent of Bang Kaew Police Station to follow up on the investigation. He said the case should not be difficult to investigate, noting that CCTV cameras at the hotel where the assault allegedly occurred could help identify the suspects. He urged police to expedite the case and bring those responsible to justice.