The District Chief of Phra Pradaeng has ordered a 7-day suspension for motorcycle taxi drivers who fought among themselves, causing injuries and escalating to the point where each brandished a knife to threaten the other. The stand leader was also instructed to improve service management.
According to reporters, on 5 Sep 2026 at Phra Pradaeng Police Station in Samut Prakan Province, Police Lieutenant Sarawut Sermklin, Deputy Investigating Officer, received a complaint from Ms. Thipmonta (surname withheld), 56, a motorcycle taxi driver, who filed the report along with Mr. Chanaphon (surname withheld), 50, another driver from the same stand, located opposite Wat Phaya Prapatjamit on Nakorn Khuen Khan Road, Talad Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District. Ms. Thipmonta reported that at around 09:15 she was assaulted by Mr. Chanaphon, sustaining bruises to her neck and swelling on her head.
After receiving the complaint, police sent Ms. Thipmonta for a medical examination at the hospital to obtain evidence for legal proceedings. Meanwhile, officers who intervened found two knives: a 30-centimeter spatha knife belonging to Mr. Chanaphon, and a 15-centimeter folding knife carried by Ms. Thipmonta. Both knives were seized as evidence.
Investigations revealed both parties are motorcycle taxi drivers from the same stand and had prior conflicts about passenger queues and order 2-3 times before. On the day of the incident, Ms. Thipmonta arrived first and signed in to queue, while Mr. Chanaphon arrived later but a dispute arose because she refused to give him a queue number. This led to a heated argument. Ms. Thipmonta claimed Mr. Chanaphon approached her aggressively, so she drew her folding knife to defend herself. Mr. Chanaphon claimed he saw her brandish a knife, so he stepped back, then went home to get a knife before returning and assaulting her, causing injuries.
Initially, authorities charged Mr. Chanaphon with two offenses: assault causing bodily or mental harm, and carrying a knife in public places without valid reason.
On 7 Sep 2026 at the Security Suppression Office of Phra Pradaeng District Office, Mr. Prin Jawathiyakul, the district security officer, convened a meeting with the motorcycle taxi stand leader and both parties involved to discuss and decide on actions after the violent altercation that caused injuries.
Following the meeting with the district security office responsible for local administration, an order was issued to suspend both parties and the stand leader from service for seven days to allow them to reflect on their conduct.
Additionally, the stand leader was instructed to promptly improve and strictly supervise the drivers under his charge to prevent recurrence. Should another incident occur, the district may consider revoking and canceling their licenses decisively.
This disciplinary action is considered mild to severe, taking into account the economic circumstances and family impact on those involved. However, regarding legal matters, both parties must still meet with investigators to proceed through the judicial process.
Mr. Prin Jawathiyakul, District Security Officer of Phra Pradaeng, stated that for the motorcycle taxi case circulatingon social media,the district summoned the stand leader and both parties for information. Punishment was issued under the subcommittee regulations, suspending service for seven days. If repeated, the harshest penalty would be expulsion from the stand. Both parties acknowledged and accepted the punishment. Today, the situation has calmed, with the stand leader tasked to further discuss and emphasize ethics, polite language, and customer service as they serve the public. The district plans to coordinate with transport authorities and police to conduct random inspections of public taxi stands soon to maintain order.
Meanwhile, Mr. Suthep, the stand owner, revealed that the two parties had previous minor conflicts but resolved them. The main cause is stress from reduced income due to the economic downturn, leading to a momentary loss of temper. He has stressed the importance of ethics, polite speech, thanking passengers, and strict adherence to regulations, while implementing measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.