BANGKOK — A taxi driver was charged Wednesday morning with assault for allegedly beating another motorist with a steel pipe.

Taxi driver Bawornpan Srimek was sent to jail for six months for attacking the driver of a Mini Cooper near Phetchaburi Road’s Phrom Pong intersection in the Makkasan area.

Sutthinan Polsin told police he had been trying to cut into Bawornpan’s lane, but the taxi driver wouldn’t let him in and honked his horn. Sutthinan then cut the taxi off and got out of his car to confront the driver.

Bawornpan told police he was driving a passenger to the Pratunam area when Sutthinan signaled to get into his lane, but he didn’t make way because there wasn’t enough space. He said he was angry when he got out of the taxi and repeatedly hit Sutthinan, according to Lt. Col. Suebpong Karuna of Nang Loeng police.

The incident was recorded and posted online, where it went viral Tuesday on social media and Bawornpan was roundly condemned for hitting the man despite his offer of an apologetic wai.

Sutthinan was treated at a hospital for a fractured ankle and bruises.