PHUKET, Thailand — A Phuket app-based driver reportedly became dizzy, weak and short of breath after four foreign passengers allegedly sprayed an unidentified substance inside her vehicle while travelling toward Bangla Road on Friday night. The incident was reported by a Facebook user in a group for drivers, who said he helped the woman on Patong Road near Bangla Road at about 9pm on September 12.
According to the post, the female driver had picked up four Arab passengers from a hotel in Patong and was taking them to the Bangla Road area. The passengers reportedly engaged the driver in conversation and invited her to eat something resembling candy. She declined. They also allegedly invited her to join them in Bangla, but she refused.
The Facebook post said that shortly afterwards, one of the passengers took an unidentified item from a bag and sprayed something inside the vehicle. The driver subsequently reportedly experienced dizziness, difficulty breathing and severe weakness. She was said to have felt as though she was being electrically shocked and became concerned for her safety.
She stopped the vehicle at the side of the road and sought help from people nearby. According to the person who came to her assistance, the passengers initially appeared to be helping the woman. However, when several local people gathered around the vehicle and began assisting her, the group reportedly walked away from the scene.
The woman was reportedly unable to explain what had happened because she was struggling to breathe. The helper then called an ambulance, which took her to hospital for medical attention.
The Facebook user said the symptoms led him to suspect that the woman may have been exposed to a substance, although the nature of the substance and the cause of her symptoms had not been confirmed.
The post also speculated that the incident could have been motivated by the fact that the driver was a woman wearing a large gold bracelet. However, no evidence establishing a motive was provided.
The incident has prompted renewed concern among app-based and tourist-transport drivers in Phuket, particularly those carrying passengers late at night. Details of any medical findings, police investigation or identification of the passengers were not provided in the original social media account.
