CHIANG RAI – A dispute between taxi drivers over customers led to a physical altercation at the Golden Triangle checkpoint in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, leaving one man needing four stitches.
On Saturday, just after midday, a yellow and blue taxi and a local community minivan ended up fighting by the roadside near the Sop Ruak border point in Wiang subdistrict. The row started over competing for customers.
Both sides tried to offer lower fares to attract travellers, which ended in a scuffle; the losing side required medical attention for a cut that needed four stitches.
Reporters visited the scene, which serves as a key crossing opposite King Roman Casino. They found that this spot is popular with both local and foreign tourists visiting the casino, before heading back to Mae Fah Luang Airport.
The border checkpoint area provides two types of transport: across the road is the yellow taxi rank, and further along is the village-based minivan stand. Arguments between these two groups have happened before, often related to fare undercutting and trying to snap up passengers first.
At the time of the incident, Mr Wiwat Kamdee, aged 64, recounted that as he saw a potential passenger, he waved and signalled a price of 700 baht to the airport. The passenger had to pass the local minivan queue, where the drivers also quoted the same fare of 700 baht.
Mr Wiwat tried to call the passenger over, with his finger gesture reportedly offending Mr Yongyut.
This led to Mr Yongyut, a local minivan driver, confronting him. They fought, and shortly after, Mr Ekaphop joined in, punching Mr Wiwat in the forehead and causing a wound that required four stitches.
The matter was reported to the Chiang Saen Police Station. Mr Wiwat admitted that ongoing tension between the two sides often erupts over competition for passengers.
Mr Somrat Kotyee, 58, who leads the local queue and is the village headman, explained that the shared parking areas belong to the Sop Ruak community. He admitted that several vehicles operate there and rejected claims of local influence or control over the area.
Mr Somrat acknowledged earlier spats, including challenges to fight, which Mr Wiwat had made in the past. He said he has tried to help both groups agree on similar rates to avoid arguments, but disputes continue.
He noted that community minivans are larger, charging between 1,000 and 1,500 baht, while taxis take four to five passengers and typically cost 700 to 800 baht. Claims that the minivans overcharge, he said, were unfounded.
Mr Somrat said he wants the drivers to talk things through and agree to behave respectfully, given their shared role in the community. Similar problems have happened before, and he has always tried to keep things calm and prevent violence.
However, he admitted tempers ran too high this time, and a fight broke out. Attempts to rotate vehicles fairly have not worked, and arguments over passengers keep resurfacing.
