Pattaya – A Bolt driver has posted a warning to songthaew drivers in Pattaya, urging them to be more considerate of passengers after an incident where an elderly foreign man using cane like assistance fell off the back of a songthaew.
The incident was shared in a Facebook group this week called “Bolt drive Pattaya, including Pattaya drivers,” where a clip showed the elderly foreign man attempting to get off a songthaew. The driver allegedly started the vehicle without checking if passengers had safely disembarked, causing the foreigner to lose control and fall. A group of good Samaritans and nightclub security helped the man stand up after the fall. The poster emphasized the importance of ensuring all passengers have safely exited before moving the vehicle.
On the night of January 24th, reporters visited the scene of the incident, which took place in front of an A-go-go in Soi Buakhao. The good Samaritan who assisted the foreigner confirmed the incident, stating that the foreigner, who relies on canes due to mobility issues, sustained minor injuries and chose not to press charges against the songthaew driver. The driver allegedly did not stop to check on the passenger, likely unaware that the foreigner had fallen.
The reporter interviewed Mr. Uthai Wongsi, 49, a Bolt driver who recorded the incident. He explained that around 2-3 AM on January 23rd, while searching for a customer, he drove near the back of the songthaew. A foreigner who appeared to be disabled attempted to disembark when the songthaew suddenly moved, causing him to fall. Fortunately, the vehicle was not moving quickly, resulting in only minor injuries for the foreigner. The songthaew driver allegedly continued driving without checking on the fallen passenger. Mr. Wongsi posted the video to highlight the need for songthaew drivers to pay more attention to their passengers’ safety.
The social media post sparked numerous comments and criticism of the incident. One comment, purportedly from a Pattaya City Bus Cooperative officer, stated: “The incident occurred because the driver did not look out for the passenger. The passenger wanted to get off without ringing the bell, so the driver was unaware. The cooperative has called the driver in for a review.”
