A public transport driver violently assaulted a foreign tourist with a plastic bottle outside Phuket International Airport on Wednesday evening, following a dispute over rubbish allegedly left inside his vehicle. The incident, captured on video, occurred near the busy Entrance 2 of the passenger terminal around 9 p.m. and has since sparked widespread discussion on Thai social media.

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The footage shows the van driver in a heated argument with the female tourist, aggressively demanding she clean the van. The confrontation quickly escalated, with the driver striking the woman on the head with the bottle. The attack shocked the victim and prompted another foreign passenger to intervene before an airport security officer stepped in to defuse the situation.

According to reports, the altercation began after the driver discovered trash in his van and insisted the passenger clean it. The situation intensified when the woman allegedly refused, leading to the physical assault.

The video has ignited a strong online debate, with much of the criticism aimed at the driver’s aggressive conduct. Many Thai netizens condemned the violence, stating that such behavior is unacceptable, particularly from a professional driver. Commenters emphasized that drivers should maintain professionalism and resolve conflicts peacefully, noting that vehicle cleaning is typically part of their job duties. However, others argued that passengers also bear responsibility for managing their own waste, suggesting that both parties shared blame for the incident.

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Sakhu Police Station has acknowledged the case and is working with Phuket Airport authorities to review CCTV footage. Police are working to identify the van driver, and the Phuket Provincial Transport Office is expected to impose penalties, which could include the revocation of the driver’s public transport license.

-Thailand News (TN)