A tuk-tuk driver in Phuket has been charged after a British professional boxer died from injuries sustained when he fell from the vehicle during a late-night journey in Patong.
The victim, identified as 29-year-old Colin Cairney from the United Kingdom, suffered severe injuries after falling from a moving tuk-tuk on Phra Baramee Road in Patong during the early hours of June 14. He later died from his injuries.
Patong Police investigating officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Surachat Thongyai said authorities identified and questioned the driver, a 34-year-old man from Phatthalung province, on June 15.
During questioning, the driver admitted he was behind the wheel of the tuk-tuk involved in the incident.
According to police, the driver told investigators he had picked up two foreign tourists, a man and a woman, from the Bangla Road entertainment district and was transporting them to a hotel near Kalim Beach.
However, upon arriving at the hotel, the passengers reportedly informed him they did not have cash to pay for the fare and requested to be taken to an ATM.
The driver said he then took the male tourist, who was allegedly intoxicated, to three separate ATM locations in an attempt to withdraw money, but none of the transactions were successful.
He claimed he eventually decided to return the passengers to the Bangla Road area.
While travelling along Phra Baramee Road, the driver said he felt something unusual about the vehicle but did not stop to inspect it.
It was only about two kilometres later that he realised there were no passengers left in the tuk-tuk.
Despite discovering this, the driver did not contact police or report the incident to authorities.
Investigators later determined that the British tourist had fallen from the vehicle, suffered serious injuries and subsequently died.
Police said the tuk-tuk involved belonged to the suspect’s brother and had been rented out for commercial passenger transport.
Following the investigation, authorities charged the driver with causing death through negligence, failing to stop and render assistance, and failing to immediately report the incident to law enforcement.
Police confirmed that the suspect admitted to all charges during questioning.
Meanwhile, discussions regarding compensation are reportedly ongoing between the suspect and the victim’s uncle, who resides in Phuket.
The case has drawn significant attention in Thailand and abroad, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
