MAE HONG SON — An Israeli tourist was left frightened after witnessing her Grab driver being assaulted by local transportation operators in the popular tourist town of Pai, Mae Hong Son province.
Theerachai Boonmapieng, a Grab driver, filed a police report with Police Lieutenant Atthapon Boonthawee at Pai Police Station late on May 19, stating he was attacked by a group of local pickup taxi drivers while he was waiting for his passenger outside a popular venue in Pai.
“I was parked across the street from Moonbeach Pai in Mae Hee sub-district when about four men standing by the road shouted at me, “Didn’t we already talk about not picking up customers here?” Theerachai recounted. “Then a large man opened my car door while another, thinner man began punching me.”
The Israeli female tourist, who Theerachai had brought from Chiang Mai to attend a party in Pai, was reportedly terrified and urged the driver to flee. Another assailant damaged Theerachai’s vehicle during the confrontation.
Prior to the violent incident, Theerachai had reported to the Pai Police Station Superintendent around 9 a.m. upon arriving in Pai with his foreign passenger, informing authorities about their planned itinerary and also meeting with tourist police. Around 10 AM, he encountered the group of local taxi drivers near the Walking Street in front of Pai District Court, where they argued about transportation services for tourists.
The local drivers reportedly claimed that providing services in Pai was exclusively their territory and livelihood, not for outsiders to profit from.
After taking Theerachai’s statement, police officers accompanied him to Pai Hospital for a medical examination and treatment, gathering evidence for the case. Authorities have since apprehended the suspects and brought them in for questioning at Pai Police Station.
Beyond this specific assault case, officials are under pressure to address the ongoing conflict between local transportation operators – including modified pickup trucks and songthaews (shared taxis) – and visiting drivers from other areas. The Mae Hong Son Provincial Transport Office has previously held meetings to establish legal guidelines for operations.
Officials note that the practice of modifying pickup trucks with metal barriers is illegal and puts tourists at risk, as these vehicles lack proper insurance coverage for passengers. Despite these warnings, local drivers have reportedly ignored regulations.
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