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Aussie in Patong Taxi Rumble Released on 200,000 Baht Bail
By Premkamon Ketsara Wednesday, October 9, 2013
PHUKET: Australian Gary Ronald Ponting, at the centre of an altercation with Patong taxi drivers, has been granted bail of 200,000 baht on weapons charges, Phuketwan has learned.
Security video showed Mr Ponting pulling his pickup onto the footpath close to a group of taxi drivers outside a Patong resort, then getting out of the vehicle with a camera to take their photographs.
The drivers reacted angrily and Mr Ponting was forced to retreat to his pickup, pulling a gun and waving it at the drivers.
He later told Patong police that he reacted in fear of his life. ''My wife is three months pregnant and I have an eight-year-old daughter,'' he said.
With the taxi drivers backing off at gunpoint, Mr Ponting, 44, fled in the pickup and was arrested by police soon after.
He has been charged with possession of a weapon in public and possession of ammunition. He said the ammunition did not fit the gun and was left over from a visit to a shooting gallery.
It's understood the handgun has been sent for forensic examination in Surat Thani. A court appearance is likely to be scheduled once the characteristics of the weapon are established.
Although at least two blows were landed on Mr Ponting, he was not seriously injured. No charges of assault have been pursued.
Mr Ponting says he retired after 20 years in an Australian police force. He is now a house husband while his Thai wife works at a tour business.
He says he returned to to take photographs of the taxi drivers because they behaved aggressively during an incident at the resort earlier on October 2.
Despite his wife's advice, he went back to the resort to take photographs so he could identify the drivers and officially complain to authorities about their behavior.
The taxi drivers thought he was trying to pick up guests.
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Comments
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In most countries if you took a photograph of taxi drivers who then physically attacked you, the taxi drivers would be in court. Whoops I forgot in Thailand the law is slanted (cough) towards Thais. Another story to make Thailand feel ashamed. This will cost millions in lost tourist money as it will be in the Australian news and probably around the world but of course Thais will tell you "I don't care" Then many moan how quiet Phuket is, this is the lowest low season ever. Go figure. Can't the Australian Embassy help?
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
October 9, 2013 15:57
Editor Comment:
The Australian Embassy has one of the most complicated automatic answering systems known to humankind, FF. Of all the embassies that Phuketwan contacts, the Australian embassy is the least accessible. That said, your estimates of their powers and of the effect this particular incident could have more broadly are, as always, a long way from reality. The rights and wrongs are not clearcut - except to biased observers like you. A Thai court will hear both sides and decide.
Having seen the video, it seems quite clear that Mr Ponting was attacked first, and retrieved the gun for self defence. Clearly, waving a gun around in public is not the brightest thing to do, nor is carrying ammunition in ones car. I would suggest his actions were misguided, however well intentioned.
However, the fact that no charges of assault are being pursued against the taxi drivers just reinforces their position as above the law.
Appreciate this is slightly off topic, but having the DSI in Phuket was always risky, if they fail to change the status quo with the taxis and other issues (which seems to be the case), it just makes the taxi "monopolies" (is that the agreed word now?) even stronger than they were before the DSI arrived.
I feel sad about Phuket, it used to be such a wonderful place, but now thoroughly over run by greed and corruption. I wish I could leave but am tied up in a business. Anyone want to buy my restaurant ?? :-)
Posted by
Seen the video
on
October 9, 2013 15:58
Ed, all news including your PW have never said Gary Ronald Ponting used any physical contact/violence but yet was physically attacked in a very aggressive way. In Europe, US, Australia, Singapore any developed country in the eyes of the law the person/people who used physical violence first would be arrested. Remember he had only taken photographs at that stage. I know you have to be careful what you print but have some logic in relation to your fellow countrymen (Australian) Articles like this really make me sick to be in Thailand, perhaps it is time for a moment of clarity and get out of here.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
October 9, 2013 16:30
Editor Comment:
Mr Ponting was at pains to make the point that it wasn't a fight. He did not physically defend himself. But the ''rumble'' isn't an issue. Waving a gun around is far more significant. I am content to let a Thai court settle this issue and I don't share your identification with Australia. Nationalism has no relevance to justice. It's also the cause of most of the world's problems. Leave Thailand if you must.
Holy Cow.
In the US, when a person is physically attacked by a group of thugs and in fear of ones safety, that victim is allowed to defend themself from the attacker(s). They are not arrested and then heavily fined.
Most of you have likely seen the recent video-recorded attack by a gang of bikers against a family in NYC? The attackers have been arrested...not the victim.
This story is a perversion of Justice.
Be careful!
Posted by
Concerned & Incredulous
on
October 9, 2013 16:52
Editor Comment:
Why would most Phuketwan readers watch a video of an attack by bikers in NYC? Why assume that everything that happens in America is of interest to the rest of the world, C&I? It's not. Justice will be administered in that case in a courtroom, as it will in this case, not via the thumbs up or thumbs down of an audience viewing a video.
It was the thugs who tried to beat him up first then he waved the gun. So he gets arrested and NOTHING happens to them. Thai justice. Any sign of racism here?
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
October 9, 2013 16:56
Editor Comment:
No sign of racism whatsoever, FF, except in your troubled mind. The drivers are automatically ''thugs'' to you . . . which makes you the one with the problem.
@FF..as far as Thais are concerned, there is no racism, however, it could loosely come under the term "Thainess." Whichever way you look at it, farang/tourists/foreign are useless made to feel as lesser humans than Thais, I know some will argue this, but the evidence mounts everyday where non Thais are treat quite differently. As evidence by this very story, video evidence for all, but the blind, to see and what action has been taken... none, absolutely none. Which brings me to ask, what has happened to our welcomed "heroes", the DSI, they seem to be very quiet. Do you think they may have gone home, to Bangkok, for the Vegetarian festival? Or maybe just gone home.
Posted by
DSI Watcher
on
October 9, 2013 17:32
Ed, this is my last comment on this issue. If you condone violence for taking a photograph you have serious issues. I would not be part of a gang who attacks people for taking a picture. Enough said. Please don't insult me when I do not insult you when you are clearly deluded on this matter.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
October 9, 2013 17:35
Editor Comment:
We don't ''condone violence,'' FF. That's yet another insulting accusation on your part. We also don't make assumptions or display prejudice.
Lack of application of laws across the board and double-standards are the issue here. Possessing a gun (illegally I assume) and then waving around deserves harsh punishment. But I do seem to recall tuk tuk/ taxi drivers (not specifically these in the story) have been stopped and weapons including guns have been found over the last year. And little action on this from the law. Such double-standards don't bode well for future progress and change on the Island.
Posted by
Duncan
on
October 9, 2013 17:58
Editor Comment:
We've been advocating the seizure of all weapons, in line with the recommendation of the Australian Ambassador, James Wise, after the stabbing death of Michelle Smith last year. Ironically, two Australians were later given suspended sentences after shooting to kill in a Patong street. An amnesty for weapons surrender followed by a crackdown is what we'd recommend.
In hindsight he should have smoked some drugs, kidnapped one of the taxi drivers, drove around for 5 hours molesting them. Wouldn't be in nearly as much trouble.
Posted by
Jon
on
October 9, 2013 20:20
@Editor
Ed, having enjoyed reading these messages from the expat community for about a month now and wondered how long it would be before I said something that would receive one of your responses ;-)
Now I feel like one of the gang.
Justice? In the month I have been reading your great publication, I have not seen one instance of Justice as one sees it in the USA or Canada. I would say the closest example would be the Ladyboy getting caught for stealing the young man's gold chain, except Justice was lost when the young man donated $800 in order to motivate the police to do their job.
As for the accusation of my ethocentricity, I give your readers a bit more credit than you do--they seem a well read bunch and hip on world affairs.
I have even seen the video on BBC World Report.
I really like this forum and reading the opinions of yourself and all your readers and I sure don't want to get on the wrong side of the "house".
I am in full agreement with you that public opinion based on edited or incomplete video clips is a dangerous practice. I am sure there is a reasonable explanation why a gang of taxi drivers is allowed to attack a lone farang and not get in any trouble with the police and I will stay tipuned to PW since they will break the story as soon as its reported.
Cheers to all.
Posted by
C & I
on
October 9, 2013 23:48
Editor Comment:
What's worth bearing in mind, C&I, is that Thailand is an exceptional democracy. Readers are free to comment on these kinds of cases. Many news outlets in the West, especially in the US and Canada and Britain, are not so generous. Journalists here are also able to go out, discover a piece of security footage, and post it online. Many justice systems are not so tolerant.
Most news outlets are not so bold. We do these things not for you to ''enjoy'' but in the interests of transparency, and with the intention of breaking down misconceptions and bias.
Unfortunately, preexisting prejudices are entrenched and difficult to sway. This is more evident in the eyes of some readers than in the law. A group of taxi drivers, in your eyes, immediately becomes a ''gang.'' (a word you seem to apply too liberally.) A man who drives up provocatively to take photos at close range becomes ''a lone farang.''
I'd suggest that, rather than rush to judgement, readers reserve their verdicts and allow a judge, in a position to review all the facts, to decide the matter. As with justice in all democracies, it's not a perfect system, but it's certainly not as slanted and unfair as the court of public opinion.
ED
You don't get it. Readers are concerned that the judge is only going to consider penalty for the actions of the lone farang. The gang of m**** are free to go about their business.
Posted by
phonus balonus
on
October 10, 2013 05:42
Editor Comment:
I get it just fine, phonus balonus. Presumptions are for the ignorant. Readers like you who have preformed views on the rights and wrongs of this case are the ones who are out of line.
Given your deep interest in the case, I suggest you do what people are free to do in a democracy: go along to the court on the day the case is heard and listen to all the evidence.
"Given your deep interest in the case, I suggest you do what people are free to do in a democracy: go along to the court on the day the case is heard and listen to all the evidence."
Ed, can you please update advise when the charges against the people seen clearly on the video you published attacking the Australian man are to be heard, I am sure many people would be interested to listen to the evidence.
However you have only reported that the Australian has been charged. Have any charges been laid against the other party for the attack?
Posted by
jimmy
on
October 10, 2013 12:59
Editor Comment:
You should direct your remarks to the Patong police, jimmy. If you think there is cause for more charges to be laid, best let the officers know.
@ED
I am too wet behind the ears in Phuket affairs to have preconceived notions. I am still in the honeymoon phase of my Thai experience and I get most of my knowledge from the PW comment section since I am not a bar patron these days.
I speak American and not proper English so I checked these words out in the dictionary:
"Gang" is a group of persons.
"Gang up on" is to unite in opposition to a person.
"Lone" is sole, single, only.
"Farang" as I understand is a non-Thai or maybe non-asian?
I wholeheartedly agree that corporate interests and fear of lawsuit have silenced our US media and our press is a far cry from the muckrakers of yesteryear...and the US is a much worse place in the absence of the transparency they provided.
If Thailand still enjoys that freedom of the press then I am glad to hear it.
Also, I had not realized that the "group of taxi drivers" had been charged with any offense. I am glad to hear they have been.
Now when and how can I get back on your good side?
Cheers
Posted by
Concerned & Humbled
on
October 10, 2013 14:36
Concerned and Humbled "Also, I had not realized that the "group of taxi drivers" had been charged with any offense. I am glad to hear they have been" - they have not been neither will they. So therefore we can deduce that if several Thai men attack you or I and we are alone they are allowed to beat us up. I think the fine if action is taken 500-1000 Baht (16USD - 32USD approx) so as some say it is value. The longer I stay in Thailand the less I like it here.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
October 10, 2013 19:35
I find it hard to comprehend that a guy who spent 20 years in the Aussie police force would deal with the situation he was in the way Mr Ponting did...
When he had the chance to go and make a complaint to the police about the assault, he decided to escalate the situation by returning with a gun...Even in a western country that would be a dangerous and stupid course of action, in a country like thailand it's just mad...All it would have taken was for one or more of the taxi guys to have a gun handy and Mr Ponting could well be dead now and blamed for his own death to boot....the guy sounds like he has a deathwish...
Posted by
Steve
on
October 11, 2013 01:28
Sad to once again read the passionate opinions of so many only for the Editor to take his usual 'siege mentality' to the extreme! It tends to be around a similar time each month which would explain it all one supposes. Let's just face facts, as has always been the case on here, the last word and views must always go to the 'Editor' so us, the readers and contributors to what should be an open and honest debate, have to accept that no matter what opinions we have and wish to share or question will only end up with insulting retorts that just leave us questioning the rational and arrogance of a local online media source obviously incapable of accepting when they are very much in the minority whilst failing once more to acknowledge the legitimate questions raised and quite rightly asked regarding this news item
Posted by
Anonymous
on
October 11, 2013 02:01
Editor Comment:
If you think a couple of 500 baht fines for low-level assault would serve any purpose, take your claim to the island's police commander or the superintendent at Kathu Police Station. Mr Ponting put himself at great risk and appears to have broken a more significant law by waving a weapon in a public place. Whether it's a real life mob or an online mob, logic never did stop a lynching. Impassioned prejudice is even more useless than an anonymous rant, Nameless Person.
A more interesting question is what happened during Mr Ponting's first visit to the resort, and why he ignored his wife's sensible advice not to go back there.
@ Ed. and why he ignored his wife's sensible advice not to go back there." thats a good one... u Know? shes Thai... she know this gonna happen right? why? coz this happens before Ya?. like every or any time these Thugs get approached by any one.. so yes it was a good advice from his wife but isnt it saying alot more ? . something like -theese Thugs do it all the time and get away with it, they all know they gonna get away with it so they never stop. so this case is sure clear for me or any other "democratic" person.. put the whole "group" of involved in trail. charge the Thugs for assault and the Aussie for waving a gun in public, and possesion as well.. case closed. its as u would say " ignorant" to say anything else. but as long these thugs get away assaulting people they will keep up the good work... pure covardness from Police... for me, bullshit.
Posted by
Frog
on
October 11, 2013 13:58
Hey folks, can someone please expalin to me why Patong is a good tourist destination? As a newbie here it just seems like the most dysfunctional destination a tourist could visit. Please consider that I have wanted to visit Patong since my uncle first told me stories of his sailing here in the 70's. Those stories fueled the imagination of a young kid. Fast forward 40 years, this kid has now traveled a bit himself and a job assignment in Asia finally allows the kid to visit Patong.
Instead of a great tourist destination with beautiful beaches, I have found an island in crisis. The population is so overwhelmed and there does not appear to be any cohesive long-term vision or cohesive positive movement for this place. Instead there is only knee-jerk reaction to each isolated incident. There is a subterranean violent tribalism that exists on the beaches (jetski/parasailing) and on dry land (taxi/tuktuk) and the police condone it or atleast turn a blind eye.
This specific incident did not begin with the firearm. The problem is everything that led up to the moment the Aussie displayed the firearm. Seriously, a person cannot even approach a hotel to retrieve a guest without being thrust into some territorial dispute (tribalism) that can result in vandalism to vehicle or physical attack by a group of cabbies? A complete absence of law enforcement or Justice (in the Western tradition) and all for what? So that we can go sit on an overcrowded and polluted beach?
It really saddens me to see the condition of Patong today. This is the worst example I have ever seen of the destruction of Paradise.
Posted by
Concerned & Looking
on
October 12, 2013 01:28
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In most countries if you took a photograph of taxi drivers who then physically attacked you, the taxi drivers would be in court. Whoops I forgot in Thailand the law is slanted (cough) towards Thais. Another story to make Thailand feel ashamed. This will cost millions in lost tourist money as it will be in the Australian news and probably around the world but of course Thais will tell you "I don't care" Then many moan how quiet Phuket is, this is the lowest low season ever. Go figure. Can't the Australian Embassy help?
Posted by Fiesty Farang on October 9, 2013 15:57
Editor Comment:
The Australian Embassy has one of the most complicated automatic answering systems known to humankind, FF. Of all the embassies that Phuketwan contacts, the Australian embassy is the least accessible. That said, your estimates of their powers and of the effect this particular incident could have more broadly are, as always, a long way from reality. The rights and wrongs are not clearcut - except to biased observers like you. A Thai court will hear both sides and decide.