Luxury Shoe Shipper Faces Compensation Claims After Minor Accident

However, incidents during rides are not uncommon. Recently, a ride-hailing driver in Thailand became the center of attention after sharing a story about a passenger demanding compensation for a pair of luxury shoes worth 16,000 baht (approximately $450) following a minor vehicle collision.

According to the driver, he arrived to pick up the passenger at the Ideo condominium. As he stopped at the gate, his vehicle unexpectedly slid through a puddle, causing the passenger to fall lightly. The driver immediately checked on the passenger’s condition and offered to take them to a hospital, but the passenger refused and requested to cancel the ride. Thinking the matter was resolved, the driver continued with other trips.

Shortly after, he received a call from the service center asking him to report to the Phaya Thai Police Station, as the passenger had filed a complaint and demanded compensation for the shoes that were soiled during the incident. The passenger insisted on full compensation for a new pair of shoes, amounting to 16,000 baht, despite the cleaning cost being only around 1,600 baht (approximately $45).

Frustrated but compliant, the driver agreed to pay in eight installments of 2,000 baht each and had already made the first payment.

The post quickly garnered tens of thousands of interactions and comments on Thai social media. Most users expressed sympathy for the driver and criticized the passenger’s actions.

Many argued that demanding full compensation for a used pair of shoes was unreasonable. “Dirty shoes can be cleaned; it’s not necessary to force someone to pay for new ones,” one user commented. Another sarcastically remarked, “From now on, ride-hailing drivers should probably ask passengers to remove their shoes and hang them around their necks to avoid such compensation claims.”

However, some opined that if a customer is injured or their personal property is damaged during a service, they have the right to seek compensation, provided it is reasonable and justified.

A lawyer in Bangkok noted that if the driver adhered to traffic safety regulations and the incident occurred due to road conditions, such as potholes or slippery surfaces, the responsibility might lie with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the agency responsible for maintaining transportation infrastructure.

“The driver has every right to sue the city authorities for compensation instead of bearing the entire responsibility,” the lawyer stated. He also emphasized that compensation should be based on actual damage and the depreciated value of the item, not the new price for a used item.

The incident not only sparked debate about driver-passenger etiquette but also highlighted challenges in determining legal liability in minor incidents involving ride-hailing services.

As more people use these services daily, transportation experts in Thailand are urging ride-hailing companies to establish clearer insurance mechanisms to protect the interests of both parties in the event of accidents.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)