THE PHUKET Land Transport Office today (Feb. 13) suspended a van driver’s driving licence for 90 days after he was filmed by a passenger playing online slot games on his mobile phone while taking them from Patong beach to the downtown and posted it on social media, Thai Rath newspaper said.
The 17-second video clip went viral in Phuket with an accompanying message saying, “Stop spinning, passengers urge that a van running from Patong to the downtown be checked, the driver was using his mobile phone to play slots games throughout the journey, we were afraid of an accident occurring and endangering others, almost hit several times.”
As the clip continued to be shared netizens posted various comments including “No one is a wizard on the road, if you want to play quit your job and do so”, and “Urge the Land Transport Office to give passengers options to choose on their own.”
The van driver, Mr. Suranat Aduman, said he only played a slot game for a moment then put down his mobile phone. He added that it was around 7 p.m. when this occurred and there were seven passengers in the van.
Now that his licence has been suspended for 90 days he would have to look for a new job and would like to urge other drivers to not use their mobile phone while driving.
Mr. Kornpitak Assuwan, head of Phuket Land Transport Office’s academic group, said the driver, Suranat, was summoned to acknowledge the charges.
Aside from his driver’s licence being suspended for 90 days he was also fined 2,000 baht.
He urged all transport drivers to strictly follow the law because tourists are flocking in now and they should create a good image of Phuket and Thailand. All road users should follow driving etiquette and strictly obey the law.
CAPTION:
The van driver who played slot games at the Phuket Land Transport Office today, Feb. 13, 2023. Photos: Thai Rath
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