Phuket –
Police in Patong have charged a tuk-tuk driver with two serious offenses following the death of Scottish tourist and professional boxer Mr. Colin Cairney, who fell from a moving vehicle in the early hours of June 14th.
Cairney, who was visiting Phuket, sustained severe head injuries after tumbling from the tuk-tuk on Phra Barami Road in Patong. He was rushed to a local hospital in a coma but later died.
Investigators quickly identified the driver, Kittipong, 34, from Phatthalung, as the operator of the vehicle. According to police, Kittipong admitted during questioning that he had picked up Cairney and a female companion from Bangla Road’s entertainment district and was hired to take them to The Nature Hotel at Kalim Beach.
When the tourists were unable to pay in cash, Kittipong said he drove Cairney, who appeared intoxicated—to three nearby ATMs in an attempt to withdraw money. After repeated failures, the driver decided to return them to Bangla Road. While passing the hotel again, he said he noticed something unusual with the vehicle, without clarifying what, but continued driving. Two kilometers later, he realized Cairney was no longer in the tuk-tuk. It’s unclear why it took him so long to notice his passenger had vanished.
Kittipong did not stop or report the incident to authorities. He later learned that Cairney had fallen and suffered fatal injuries. The tuk-tuk involved belonged to his brother, from whom he rented the vehicle.
Police have charged Kittipong with:
- Negligence causing death
- Failure to stop and provide assistance or notify authorities after an accident
He has confessed to both charges and is currently negotiating compensation with Cairney’s uncle, who resides in Phuket.
