In the dim hours of an early January morning, the bustling streets of Pattaya were interrupted by a rather unfortunate spectacle—a drunken misadventure involving a foreign driver and a beloved som tam (papaya salad) vendor. The scene unfolded at the entrance of Soi Buakhao around 5 AM, as a bronze Toyota Vios, veering into disarray, collided woefully with Sakda’s cherished food cart. Sakda, a 58-year-old vendor known for his zesty som tam, found himself at the heart of this unexpected calamity.
As the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation and the swift-response officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station arrived, they were greeted by a scene of chaos. Sakda, although reeling from a serious head injury and body bruises, refused medical attention, displaying the stoic resolve of a man who couldn’t afford hospital bills. His once neatly arranged papaya salad cart was now a canvas of disarray, with kitchen utensils flung haplessly across the road.
Amidst the scattered remnants of Sakda’s culinary kingdom stood the foreign driver, heavily intoxicated and leaning unsteadily against the damaged front bumper of his car. His only companion in this late-night saga, a Thai girlfriend equally flustered and under the influence, was not content with just observing. She burst into a fiery diatribe, hurling accusations and selective profanities at Sakda, claiming incredulously that he had faked his injuries and ‘collided’ into them instead. Her wrath extended indiscriminately, leading her to interfere with the on-site medics and even attempt to assail the police officers.
Her audacious outbursts didn’t end there. With the audacity usually reserved for soap opera antagonists, she invoked the name of an alleged top-ranking police ally, threatening doom and career demise upon those who dared to act against her or her errant beau. However, the officers, perhaps accustomed to such dramatic displays, did not waver. They proceeded to arrest the combative duo, to the delight of onlookers who clapped, cheered, and unwittingly turned the arrest into a scene of public entertainment.
As the pair were escorted to the local police station, the woman adamantly pivoted her story, now claiming to have been the one driving. Yet, steadfast witnesses were quick to refute her claims, attesting that the foreigner was indeed behind the wheel. The truth lay dormant in security footage, waiting to bring clarity to the morning’s chaotic episode.
On the not-so-glamorous side of Thailand’s legal spectrum, the foreign driver waded into murky waters of legal ramifications. According to Section 390 of the country’s Criminal Law, reckless driving resulting in injury invited the possibility of a month-long prison stint or a fine scaling up to 10,000 baht. Furthermore, he could face an additional fine ranging from 400 to 1,000 baht for the reckless damage inflicted upon Sakda’s beloved food stall.
This incident, though harrowing at its core, unfolded with a mix of melodrama and tragedy, capturing a slice of Pattaya’s vibrant yet unpredictable nightlife. As Sakda picked up the pieces of his cart and his bruised pride, the echoes of laughter and clapping faded into the background, leaving behind a story that will surely be remembered in local lore for days to come.
It’s shocking how some foreigners come here and disrespect our local vendors like this. Poor Sakda must be devastated.
Seriously, they should respect our local culture. I hope Sakda gets compensated for his losses.
Compensation is a start, but the consequences for drunk driving should be more severe for such reckless behavior.
Maybe the tourism board should enforce stricter rules. This kind of behavior gives tourists a bad name.
Totally agree. Tougher laws and awareness could prevent incidents like this.
I find it hard to believe the woman thought she could intimidate the police! What were they thinking?
Some people think they’re above the law because of connections, but that’s not the case here.
Indeed! Justice should be served no matter who they claim to know.
Sakda’s som tam is the best in Pattaya! This is heartbreaking. I hope he sets up his cart again soon.
Totally agree! Maybe locals can help him with a crowdfunding campaign to bounce back.
That’s a great idea. I’d definitely contribute!
We should all rally around him. Community support can work wonders.
I’ve been to Pattaya many times. It’s usually safe, but incidents like this can happen anywhere.
True, but drunk driving is a choice. It could have been avoided.
What if Sakda was partially at fault? We haven’t seen the security footage yet.
Blaming the victim doesn’t help. From what we’ve heard, Sakda was just minding his cart.
For real! Even if he was a bit on the road, a sober driver wouldn’t have crashed.
How can someone just change their story like that in front of the police? Isn’t the truth easy to spot?
Drunk logic, perhaps? They thought they’d get away with it, but witnesses say otherwise.
Incidents like these make me think about the safety of street vendors worldwide. It’s a tough life.
Absolutely. Vendors face risks daily, from bad weather to reckless drivers.
It’s sad that tourists can sometimes act like this, forgetting they are guests in another country.
That lady sounds like a character from a Thai soap opera! I hope she learns her lesson.
Sakda is a legend in his community. Perhaps the city should help him out given the circumstances.
If they support local businesses, it might improve public perception of local governance.
Street food vendors are part of our culture here. They deserve more respect than this.
Couldn’t have said it better. Food is an essential part of our identity.
This story will probably deter some tourists, but maybe that’s for the best if they can’t behave.
Well, the ones who respect the culture will still come and appreciate it more!
Maybe this driver will reflect on his mistakes while serving his sentence.
Hopefully. Though some people never learn.
Reckless tourists can cast a shadow on respectful ones. It’s frustrating.
The city needs to ensure better protection for vendors, so they’re not vulnerable like this.
This incident is so dramatic; it’s like a scene from an action movie!