PATTAYA, Thailand — A late-night road rage incident has left a local bus driver with serious head injuries and raised alarms about escalating violence on the city’s roads. Surasak Krommangkorn, 59, was assaulted by a van driver after a confrontation on January 18 in North Pattaya.
The incident unfolded around 10 p.m. when Krommangkorn, who drives for a private company, had just completed a route from Bangkok and was returning his bus to the depot. As he turned into Soi 2, a van began tailgating him, honking aggressively and urging him to pull over.
Once Krommangkorn stopped, the van driver, described as a man in his early thirties, exited his vehicle. Witnesses reported that he forcefully opened the bus door, shouted accusations of reckless driving, and immediately launched a physical attack on Krommangkorn. Despite the driver’s attempts to fend off the assault, he was ultimately overpowered and left with significant injuries, which required multiple stitches to treat.
Krommangkorn suffered wounds to his scalp, forehead, and above his left eyebrow, as well as bruises across his face and body. Following the attack, he filed a complaint with local police, who have since begun investigating the incident. Capt. Kriangkrai Kaewpipop, a deputy investigation officer, confirmed that police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify and locate the suspect.
This violent episode has drawn attention to the increasing incidence of road rage, particularly in congested urban areas like Pattaya, where heavy traffic mistakenly fuels aggressive behavior among drivers. Local authorities are calling for increased awareness and caution among motorists to mitigate the risks associated with aggressive driving and confrontations.
As police continue their investigation, residents and drivers alike are reminded to prioritize safety and patience on the road, especially in the dense inner-city sois where road rage incidents have become a growing concern.