Thai police launch manhunt for British tourist, 31, caught on camera punching terrified taxi driver and shouting ‘give me my bloody money’ after argument over fare

Thai police have launched a manhunt for a British tourist who was caught on camera punching a terrified taxi driver and shouting ‘give me my bloody money’ after an argument over fare.

The 31-year-old Briton reportedly flagged down taxi driver Abdullah Saesaheh to take him to the Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa on Phuket Island on April 27.

However, when they arrived at the hotel, the passenger reportedly handed Abdullah a 100 baht (£2.15) banknote, mistaking it for a 1,000 baht (£21.51) bill to pay the fare, which was on 400 baht (£8.60).

When Abdullah tried to collect the correct amount, the Brit allegedly attacked him. Shocking dashcam footage shows the tourist, holding a beer bottle in his left hand, choking Abdullah as he repeatedly says: ‘Give me my f***ing money’.

The frightened Thai driver broke away from his grasp and said, “You paid 100 baht.” However, the passenger insisted: ‘No, I didn’t do that. I know I didn’t do that in my mother’s life. Give me my money. Show me what I paid you with.”

When Abdullah tried to collect the correct amount, the Brit allegedly attacked him. Shocking dashcam footage shows the tourist, holding a beer bottle in his left hand, choking Abdullah as he repeatedly says: ‘Give me my bloody money’

The frightened Thai native broke away from his grasp and said, “You paid 100 baht.” However, the passenger insisted: ‘No, I didn’t. I know I didn’t do that in my mother’s life. Give me my money. Show me what I paid you with

When Abdullah refused, the man punched him in the face. As he leaned against the driver’s door, he said, “You’re lucky you got hit.” You’re fucking damned.’

After the incident, the taxi driver filed a report at Karon Police Station and went to Patong Hospital to have his injuries examined.

Police Major Ekkasit Kwanwan of Karon Police said: “From the investigation, we learned that the British man fled to Krabi Province. The station superintendent has ordered his immediate arrest so that he can be prosecuted at the earliest.”

Abdullah said he was traumatized by the alleged attack. He said: ‘I’m afraid to pick up tourists in case they hit me. This man was bigger and stronger than me. I was afraid he might hurt me.

‘All the time I have been working as a taxi driver, I have always been honest with tourists. I never cheated on them. This was a mistake and he got so angry.”

Abdullah’s father Mohammed Bang Hae said he was furious about the attack.

He said: ‘I have always taught my son to remain calm when tourists refuse to pay him properly. However, in this case we were bullied and abused. My son was attacked.

“We filed a report at Karon police station and the police were able to track down the passenger at the hotel, but he still refused to go saying he was scared.

‘The case is still not solved. No legal action has been taken so far. I hope the authorities act quickly so that this man can be brought to justice.”