The woman claims that the driver of the Bolt taxi attacked her in the dark after another passenger disembarked, and an urgent police investigation has been launched.

The woman claims that the driver of the Bolt taxi attacked her in the dark after another passenger disembarked, and an urgent police investigation has been launched.

A rape complaint filed by a 28-year-old South African citizen working as a teacher at a private school is being investigated in Phuket. The incident, according to her, occurred on the night of Sunday, August 24, when she was returning home in a Bolt taxi. The victim claims that the driver committed sexual assault in Somboonsab district, Sri Sunton subdistrict.

According to the statement, on Saturday evening, the woman spent time with colleagues at a restaurant in Bang Tao district, Cherng Talay subdistrict. After the establishment closed, the company relocated to a nearby location. Around 1:00–1:30 am, she called a taxi through the Bolt app. The car, she recalls, was a white sedan.

During the trip, the driver first dropped off another passenger at a residential complex in Sri Sunton Subdistrict. Then, while heading to a residential complex in the Pa Klok subdistrict, in the Somboonsab district, the driver, according to the applicant, stopped the car and attacked in the nearby bushes.

The situation was resolved by a bystander who witnessed what was happening. Thanks to his intervention, the driver fled the crime scene. An eyewitness immediately called emergency services at 191, and police officers from the Thalang station arrived on the scene to assist. However, initially, the victim did not report the fact of sexual violence, but only asked to be escorted to her place of residence.

The next morning, the victim went to the Cherng Talay police station with the intention of filing a report. Police officers arranged for her to be taken to Thalang police station, where the scene of the incident is located. Investigators accepted her testimony and issued a medical referral to Thalang Hospital to gather evidence to support her complaint.

Thalang police are investigating to identify the driver and prosecute him. It’s important to note that Bolt, like other taxi aggregators, typically works with law enforcement in cases like this to provide driver and travel data.

The incident caused widespread resonance in the local community and highlighted the need to strengthen security measures when using taxi services, especially at night. Residents and visitors of Phuket are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities by drivers to the police. It is also recommended to use the in-app trip tracking features and share your trip information with friends or family.

This case highlights the importance of safety awareness and precautions when using transport services, particularly for women traveling alone. Law enforcement agencies urge everyone who has become a victim of a crime to contact the police immediately.

The police are continuing their investigation and gathering evidence to charge the culprit—the public hopes for the speedy arrest of the criminal and fair punishment.