A taxi driver told police in Bangkok that he never intended to attack two South Korean women with an iron bar. 



They wanted him to turn the meter on, he explained, and so he got cross. 

Thanadech Thanathirapong, 51, was meant to take the ladies - who had been drinking - from a Rachada shop to Samut Prakarn on Monday. Instead of doing that he took them to a quiet soi off the route  - Viphawadee Rangsit 8 - and attacked them. 

He took their Samsung smart phones worth collectively more than 50,000 baht and left them battered and bruised. He later sold the phones in  Huay Kwang for 5,000 baht each. 

A member of the public helped the victims and police were able to make an arrest within three days at Thanadaech's room in Inthamara 3 in Phayathai district. 

The driver denied that he planned the attack saying he was angry that they wanted him to turn on the meter.

Yesterday the victims presented flowers to the police in appreciation of the quick arrest. They said their wounds were now healing and they felt much better - especially knowing their assailant was in custody.

They felt lucky as their injuries could have been a lot worse. 

Pol Maj-Gen Samran Nuanma thanked the good Samaritan who helped the ladies and the police and advised the public and tourists that 191 was the number to call 24 hours. 

Meanwhile it has emerged that this was not the first time Thanadech had stolen from a passenger. 

In a previous incident in Phrapradaeng he fooled a passenger into giving him a push before driving off with 200,000 baht in valuable that the passenger had left in the car. 

Sources: Daily News and Daily News