The incident occurred as the metered taxi was dropping off a customer at the mall. Two foreign tourists then approached and got into the taxi.
Suddenly, a man, believed to be the head of the local tuk-tuk queue, approached and loudly declared that the metered taxi could not take passengers from that location because there was a designated queue for tuk-tuks.
Confused and concerned for the situation they were finding themselves in, the foreign tourists exited the taxi.
The tuk-tuk boss continued to threaten the taxi driver, and even challenging him to step out of his taxi.
The tuk-tuk boss asserting that the area was restricted to the local tuk-tuks and that metered taxis were not allowed to pick up passengers there.
The entire incident unfolded in front of tourists in front of the mall, and the incident was recorded on video by the taxi driver himself from inside his taxi as well as by people looking on from the street.
The driver of the metered taxi, Mr Dam (not his real name) later told reporters that after he had dropped off a customer in front of Jungceylon, two foreign tourists got into his taxi without him realising there was a restriction.
The local tuk-tuk boss then approached, stating that the area was reserved for the local tuk-tuks only and ordered the tourists to leave the vehicle. Despite Mr Dam complying, the tuk-tuk boss continued to threaten and challenge him.
Mr Dam expressed his frustration, noting that he had never experienced such an incident before, although he mentioned that his colleagues have faced “similar situations”.
Mr Dam urged his fellow taxi drivers, obviously including tuk-tuk drivers, to handle such matters more peacefully and without intimidation.
A report of the incident has been filed with police, but no legal action has been taken yet.