Taxi driver could be sued by thief after helping his victim
Story by WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
Buffaloes roam the Talay Noi wildlife sanctuary in Khuan Khanun district in Phatthalung. The grazing areas have shrunk considerably due to the invasion of commercial farms, making it hard to raise buffaloes there. |
Sompit Srichan is a Good Samaritan waiting for someone to thank him for performing a good deed - which could yet get him into trouble.
The taxi driver caught a gold snatcher at Klong Toey market by driving his car into a getaway motorcycle on Monday. Now he is facing the prospect of being sued by an injured robber for reckless driving after the gold owner disappeared.
"If we run into trouble for helping others, why bother?" the Lop Buri resident asked.
The incident took place when he dropped a passenger off at Klong Toey market and saw a man approaching a woman from behind at a bus stop.
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The man snatched her gold necklace and ran towards a waiting motorcycle.
"They were only 50m away from me. I was not thinking. I just had to catch them. So I cut in front of the robbers' motorcycle, which hit my car head-on. The impact was strong."
The motorcycle hit a pick-up truck parked on the roadside and came to rest underneath the vehicle. Goods on the truck were damaged.
Two thieves fled in different directions. The motorcyclist was running towards Mr Sompit, 33, so he and motorcycle taxi drivers at the scene were able to catch him. The gold snatcher was caught nearby.
A road sweeper picked up the gold necklace which the robber lost as he fled, and returned it to the victim.
She thanked her helpers, flagged a taxi and jumped in as she was late for work. She did not want to press charges against the thieves.
At that point, the men in the market had no idea what to do with the gold snatcher so let him go. He sprinted away and disappeared.
Mr Sompit had to wait 15 minutes for police to arrive.
Without a victim or evidence, he was held responsible for causing three vehicles to hit each other.
He was charged with reckless driving, causing damage.
Luck was slightly on his side. Bang Phongphang police listened to several eyewitness accounts, which confirmed that he acted with good intention to help a "mysterious" woman.
"I was under extreme pressure. Without the necklace owner, I would be held responsible. So I phoned a radio station in search of her. She has not contacted police," he said, referring to Jor Sor 100 FM, the traffic radio station.
Viriyah Insurance heard his story on the radio and stepped in to help fix his car as the rented taxi has only third-party liability, which covers protection against injury or death, and assets of a third party.
Police also wrote a report in his favour. The taxi owner decided not to charge him daily rent of 400 baht for the repair period.
He is now holding his breath over whether an injured robber who is still in hospital might sue him for his injury.
He said the only person who can come to his rescue is the woman he helped. She has to confirm his innocence and identify the thief so that police can file a case against him.
"Please turn up. Otherwise, I might have to compensate the robber. Police said it would only take 10 minutes," he said.
He has a nine-year-old son and wife who are counting on him.
"It is hard to do good these days. There is no guarantee how a situation will turn out," he said. "But without Good Samaritans, society would be in deep trouble. Don't pause. Just do whatever you can," he said.
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