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Gone crackers: the tuk-tuk driver is subdued in the shop last night

Short-Fuse Phuket Tuk-Tuk Driver 'Goes Crazy' with Gun and Knife

Tuesday, May 8, 2012
PHUKET: A Phuket tuk-tuk driver, reportedly driven crazy by firecrackers being set off along Patong's shorefront, waved a gun and a long knife as he strode along Patong's beach road last night.

The driver, Kittisak Khuntong, 46, walked into a clothing shop in Soi Mor Wattana about 8pm and told everyone to lie on the floor.

''Someone is coming to kill you,'' he told the staff. ''I am here to protect you.''

Perhaps not quite sure of what was going to happen next, the staff took a look at the .38 and complied.

Patrol police answered a 191 call to the Number One clothes shop and placed Khun Kittisak, from Nakhorn Si Thammarat, under arrest.

The .38 and the long Sparta knife had come from Khun Kittisak's yellow tuk-tuk, police said.

Tourists have been complaining hard and often about noisy fireworks on Patong beach, and a skyrocket sparked a fire that caused substantial damage at a beachfront resort earlier this year.

It was not clear today whether Khun Kittisak had been tested for drugs. He is likely to be charged over the weapons.

Comments

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Nice to know the Tuk Tuk driver is prepared for those tourists who don't want to pay the bill.

Posted by mike on May 8, 2012 11:00

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Random, complete and above all UANNOUNCED checking of Tuk-Tuks and illegal taxis and minivans for drugs and weapons should be the immediate result of this incident.

What excuse for NOT doing such checks?

Surely armed and volatile people serving the public are a serious public safety issue?

Posted by Steve C. on May 8, 2012 12:18

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Agree with Steve C. Laws are in place. But it is up to the police to enforce them.

Posted by Paoa on May 8, 2012 13:19

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I thought all Tuk Tuk drivers were local people?

Posted by Sean on May 8, 2012 14:26

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they all have weapons in the tuk-tuks.
guns, steelpipes, knifes, etc. etc.

i guess 90 percent of the tuk tuk drivers are armed...

Posted by mike on May 8, 2012 18:17

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I also agree with Steve C. Also, Sean, I have been told that if someone marries a local then they can take up the profession by a local who's husband had been a tuk tuk driver a number of years ago.

Posted by Ty on May 9, 2012 10:10

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Corruption and graft aside this probably highlights that the tuk tuk's are not above the law. It's just that they need someone to call the police, explain what has happened and for it to be extreme enough for the police to charge the driver with something. That is before the incident is over.

How can tourist who come for a short time even begin to be able to get assistance when it counts!?

It's good that he is off the streets, even for a little while and hopefully the gun and knife is in the hands of the police as well. You would hope that they would also revoke his licence (if he ever had one).

Posted by Ty on May 9, 2012 10:12

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Ty, I will believe he is not above the law when I read he has been charged and received a suitable, lengthy sentence.

Posted by Sandy Shores on May 22, 2012 13:02


Thursday March 28, 2024
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