BMTA punishes rival Route 8 bus drivers after fist-fight
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) on Tuesday punished two drivers of the Bangkok Route 8 private-concession bus service for engaging in a fist-fight on Monday over whose bus would get the most passengers.
Route 8 operator Sap 88’s representative, Bang-on Mankhong, brought bus driver Sayan Chatsru and his conductor Suthasinee Saengarthit, along with rival driver Jirasin Reekongrad and his conductor Methanee Srisuk, to report themselves to BMTA officials for a fact-finding probe.
Both Sayan and Jirasin admitted to having engaged in a fist-fight, which was caught on camera and posted online by a Thai social media user, with their behaviour attracting criticism from the public.
The BMTA fact-finding committee fined Sayan, who had allegedly started the fight, Bt5,000 and ordered his suspension from work for seven days.
The panel fined Jirasin Bt2,000, while both men also received formal warnings.
Sap 88 was also held accountable for the employees’ fighting in public.
The company was fined Bt5,000 and instructed to hold training in safe driving, as per the Land Transport Act and traffic law.