PHUKET — A Russian female tourist has reached out to local media after her case involving an assault by a Phuket taxi driver’s girlfriend has shown no progress. She is requesting assistance from the Chalong Police Station to follow up on the investigation.
The incident, which was captured on video and shared on the “Hod Jung Phuket” Facebook page, shows a Thai woman sitting in the front passenger seat of a taxi, presumably the driver’s girlfriend, turning to the tourist and saying, “This is my country, you know” before slapping her in the face. The tourist can be heard screaming in shock while the driver is heard saying, “Why did you hit her?”
After the video was shared online, internet users expressed various opinions, particularly criticizing the taxi driver for bringing his girlfriend in the vehicle, as hired transportation should only include the driver and the vehicle.
On March 9, Ms. Ekaterina, a 31-year-old Russian national, sent a message to the media regarding the assault. She stated that she had filed a police report with Police Lieutenant Thiti Champat, Deputy Investigation Inspector at Chalong Police Station, on January 29, 2025. According to her report, the incident occurred at 4:00 p.m. on January 28 when she used the “In Driver” application to call a ride from her friend’s house in Patong Soi 11 in Karon sub-district to return to her accommodation in Choeng Thale sub-district.
She explained that the vehicle was a commercial service car and provided clear license plate details to the police. She noted that a woman was sitting in the front passenger seat beside the driver, believed to be his wife. When the car was driving near Global House Chalong on Patak Road in Chalong sub-district, Mueang Phuket district, this woman slapped her in the face, causing injuries.
Ms. Ekaterina clearly stated that she wishes to pursue legal action against her attacker until the case reaches its conclusion. However, there has been no progress on the case so far, which is why she has turned to the media for assistance in bringing attention to the matter.
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