Thalang Police confirmed the charge against Austrian national Gernot Kuhberger, 58, through a statement yesterday (Apr 3).
Wuttiporn Chaimongkhon, 62, had picked up the tourist at Phuket International Airport with his Toyota Camry taxi and was taking him to an address in Chalong when the incident happened, said Pol Lt Col Yuthaphon Watthasate of the Thalang Police.
When they reached Baan Muang Mai, in Thalang, Kuhberger started smoking a cigarette inside the car. Mr Wuttiporn told him to stop, as there was no smoking in his taxi.
Not happy with being told to stop smoking, Kuhberger reached over from the back seat and placed both hands around Mr Wuttiporn’s neck, and started choking him.
Mr Wuttiporn was unable to control the vehicle, which hit the back of a red MG car waiting at a red light in front of the Thepkrasattri Municipality offices on Thepkrasattri Rd, Lt Col Yuthaphon explained.
The location of the collision was just some 30 metres from Thalang Police Station, he noted.
The driver of the MG car, Thanongsak Sonpat, 40, told reporters that he exited his car and saw Kuhberger choking Mr Wuttiporn and rushed to help. Another “good citizen” also arrived to provide assistance, and together they pulled Kuhberger’s hands off Mr Wuttiporn, he said.
Mr Thanongsak said that he felt that the Austrian man seemed to be drunk.
Police soon arrived and took all three men to the police station for questioning.
Thalang Police Chief Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong confirmed that Kuhberger had agreed to pay for damages to both cars from the collision.
After the agreement had been signed, Mr Wuttiporn left to have his injuries checked at a hospital.
Mr Thanongsak noted that while all three were at the police station, Kuhberger was amicable and appeared to be good natured, and smiled.
However, the Austrian is expected to face the charge of assault in court today (Apr 4).