A 52-year-old Japanese man has complained to police that he was assaulted by a ride-hailing platform driver in the Asok area of Bangkok during an argument over the previously agreed fare.
The man, whose name was not released, said the driver told him, "For this fare, I can only go this far” before ordering him to get out of the vehicle. When he disagreed, the driver assaulted him, he alleged.
The incident reportedly occurred on May 28, and was made public by the Facebook page "Jmoi V+" on Monday.
The complainant said he had booked a ride through the Bolt app to travel from his home to work. He is the owner of a Japanese restaurant in Bangkok, according to Thai media reports.
The trip proceeded normally until they passed Nana and then crossed Asok intersection on Sukhumvit Road, when the driver suddenly said, “I can only go this far.”
When the passenger asked why, the driver reportedly claimed the fare was not worth the distance.
The complainant said he told the driver that if there was an issue with the fare, he should raise it with the app company. He had accepted the job and the fare when taking the booking.
The driver then allegedly ordered him to get out of the car. Although the passenger complied, the driver reportedly followed him and without warning repeatedly punched and struck him on the back of his head, the passenger alleged.
The complainant said he suffered a head wound and multiple bruises. Fortunately, he said, motorcycle taxi riders and passers-by stopped the assault before it became more serious.
The driver fled the scene.
Officials would examine the platform’s driver-screening measures and disciplinary procedures on June 5. The platform should share responsibility, they said.
Operators of similar app platforms would be invited to a meeting on June 12 to discuss standardisation of services. There were about 13 of them.
