Bangkok Motorcycle Taxi Dispute Turns Deadly: One Driver Fatally Stabbed
BANGKOK — A personal dispute between two motorcycle taxi drivers turned deadly on May 24, when one man fatally stabbed the other near a U-turn on Rama IV Road, heading toward Asok.
The altercation involved two drivers operating in front of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Police identified the victim only as Mr. Apiwat, who reportedly confronted Mr. Froy, the alleged attacker, while intoxicated.
According to investigators, Mr. Apiwat was upset that Mr. Froy had not intervened in a previous altercation on May 20 involving another colleague named “Beer” and a rival-area driver. Although that conflict was resolved internally with disciplinary measures, tensions apparently remained high.
On May 24, Mr. Apiwat allegedly approached Mr. Froy while holding a knife, leading to a violent confrontation. Mr. Froy managed to seize the weapon during the struggle and allegedly stabbed Mr. Apiwat. The incident was not related to customer disputes or territorial rivalry, police confirmed.
Mr. Froy surrendered to authorities on May 26 and has been charged with premeditated murder and carrying a weapon in public. A court has extended his pre-trial detention as the investigation continues.
Pol Col Rattanon Aekthitikunphat, chief of Thong Lor police, said the case underscores how unresolved personal grievances can spiral into fatal violence, even in seemingly routine professional settings
