2 baht bus drivers charged with assaulting S. Korean tourist

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Baht bus drivers Kosan Mekai and Prasit Boothdee were arrested for assaulting a South Korean tourist.
Baht bus drivers Kosan Mekai and Prasit Boothdee were arrested for assaulting a South Korean tourist.

Two baht bus drivers have been arrested for assaulting a South Korean tourist.

Kosan Mekai, 25, and Prasit Boothdee, 29, were captured separately at their homes Dec. 17. They were positively identified by victim Hyon Soon-Bae, 53.

Police said both men admitted to beating up Hyon, who they claimed was drunk at the time. He and a woman got on a songthaew, but refused to move in when requested to allow more passengers to sit.

Angry words led to fisticuffs with the Korean throwing the first punch, Kosan claimed.

Prasit joined in when it appeared his Thai compatriot might lose the fight.

Hyon admitted he was drunk but asserted that he did not start the fight.

The taxi drivers were asked to apologize, but that wasn’t enough for the Korean, so they were charged with assault.