A man known for being sensitive to horn sounds has been arrested for punching a woman driver's eye at the Lat Phrao intersection. He claimed he was grazed first and became angry because she refused to get out to talk. He said he did not know she was a woman and insisted he has never caused violent incidents unless provoked.
Reporters said that on the evening of 22 Oct between 19:50 and 20:00, a man riding an unregistered motorcycle of unknown brand committed an act of smashing the side window of a Honda Jazz car registered in Bangkok, driven by Ms. Princhanom (surname withheld), 27. He also punched her left eye, causing bruising and bleeding, because he was upset that she honked her horn. Ms. Princhanom has filed a complaint with Pol. Lt. Col. Sakdinat Nuchang, investigation officer at Phahonyothin Police Station.
Ms. Princhanom said that on the evening of 22 Oct, she was driving her car under the Lat Phrao intersection overpass, just past the U Union Mall U-turn point. At that time, the suspect's motorcycle and her car were in the same lane. When they reached the U-turn point under the Lat Phrao overpass, the motorcycle tried to brake to make a U-turn even though it had passed the turning point, prompting her to briefly honk her horn once. She did not know if the motorcycle grazed her car.
She continued driving toward Chatuchak Park, where traffic was congested. The suspect then approached her car, pulled the door handle, and smashed the driver's side window, while verbally abusing her. She tried to apologize with a gesture from inside the car, but he was still angry. He then jumped onto the car's hood and stomped on the front windshield, cracking it. She was shocked and scared, not knowing what to do. He jumped down by the driver's side door and tried to open it again, hitting the glass and shouting, “Come out! Come out!” She was very frightened and alone, so she decided to open the door to negotiate and raised her hands in apology, but the suspect was displeased and punched her face once near the left eye, causing bruising.
Ms. Princhanom added that she believed the suspect had vented his anger and then left her car. CCTV footage in the area did not clearly capture the motorcycle's license plate. She appealed to witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to provide evidence to the police to assist her case.
She recalled that the suspect wore a dark blue jacket and had his helmet visor open, allowing her to recognize his face. She urged any good Samaritans with additional evidence to submit it to the police or inform the media to help track the suspect. She said that if the suspect wants to apologize with a flower basket, that alone would not be enough—she asked readers to imagine if it were their daughter, would they accept just a basket? If it is true that she grazed his motorcycle, she is willing to take responsibility and insists the case will be pursued to the end.
Pol. Col. Marut Sudnongbua, superintendent of Phahonyothin Police Station, said initially both parties had a minor collision on inbound Lat Phrao Road opposite Union Mall, which angered the motorcyclist and led to the incident captured on video. The victim was punched once near her eye and has filed a complaint. He ordered investigators to check CCTV along the suspect's escape route. Since the suspect wore a helmet and the motorcycle had no license plate, his identity remains unknown, but police will expedite his arrest.
The incident is preliminarily classified as assault and property damage. Police will also conduct alcohol and drug tests on the suspect. The circumstances of the collision, which triggered the incident, are still under investigation to determine fault and appropriate charges separately.
Reports indicate the suspect has previously thrown stones to break car windows of two vehicles after being upset by horn honking. Both victims, women, filed complaints with Taling Chan and Bang Pho Police Stations. Authorities have identified the suspect and expect to apprehend him soon.
At 19:30 at Phahonyothin Police Station, investigators from Metropolitan Police Division 2 and Phahonyothin Police Station's investigation unit summoned Mr. Natthanon, also known as Leng, 19, the suspect in the assault of a 27-year-old woman at the Lat Phrao traffic light, for questioning.
While escorting him to the investigation room, reporters asked about his motives and whether the social media claims about his frequent misconduct were true. Mr. Natthanon denied such behavior, saying he would not act that way unless provoked by someone causing trouble.
When asked why he assaulted a woman, he said that if he had known she was female, he would not have acted that way.
Regarding his motive, Mr. Leng claimed the victim grazed his motorcycle first but refused to stop and talk. He followed her on his motorcycle, shouting for her to stop, but she did not. This made him angry. He admitted responsibility and expressed remorse, especially after learning she was a woman.
Tonight, Phahonyothin Police investigators will expedite the questioning and consider filing related charges. They have scheduled a meeting for the victim and her lawyer to identify the suspect.