Category：Society

Tow trunk heartthrob keeps cool after getting hit by man

Last summer, tow truck driver William Meng left the hearts of many throbbing after a news story showed him moving illegally parked scooters. Just a few months later, it was Meng’s face that was left throbbing because an illegally parking elderly man attacked the amateur bodybuilder. Meng kept his cool and called the police to handle the situation, showing that he has both brawn and brains.

Tanned and toned tow truck driver heartthrob William Meng was just doing one of his two day jobs, taking away some illegally parked scooters when he was attacked by this 71-year-old man, who had climbed onto the truck in order to yank his scooter off.

This old man had a lot of fight in him, punching and even slapping this hunky heartthrob’s head. The young man kept calm, calling the police instead of fighting back.

The tow truck driver had already finished packing up the scooter of the old man, who wouldn’t get down and even ended up getting pulled off the truck after he attacked police officers. This incident happened in New Taipei’s Sanchong back in October of last year. Meng said this experience was a first for him, and that he’d already reported the elderly man. The minor celebrity with major muscles did his best to stop the enraged older man, whose behavior could’ve damaged other vehicles and even his own health.

William Meng
Hunky tow truck driver
I was worried that if he pulled his scooter down, that other scooters would fall on him, so he might get hurt. So, I tried to get in his way, to stop him from opening our truck’s drop-side, which likely made him even angrier, even more unhappy. He kept on attacking me, kept on hitting my back, even slapping me once or twice. I was getting fed up, especially since the police and I were just doing our duty.

After this elderly man attacked Meng, injuring his back, neck, and even his face, the scooter-moving celebrity was then accosted by another person: this time it was a selfie seeker.

A 2025 news story showing Meng towing scooters revealed his impressive physique and good looks, which drew comparisons to celebrities near and far, like Korean actor So Ji-sub.

William Meng
Hunky tow truck driver
Training to get this big, it’s just something we like to do. It doesn’t mean that we can take punches, or that we can use it to fight people.

This illegal scooter parking episode turned into a one-sided brawl, where the tow truck heartthrob kept his cool instead of using self-defense, while the old man might be in trouble for an Offense of Obstructing an Officer in Discharge of Duties.

#towtruck #muscle #hunk #workout #bodybuilder #heartthrob #SoJisub #소지섭 #asianmen #hunky #hunkymen #男神

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2026-08-18

22-year-old man ordered to pay NT$398 million for Carrefour fire

A 22-year-old man, surnamed Kuo, has learned that literally playing with fire can come with a hefty price tag. Back in 2023, he and two friends were fooling around with a can of insecticide and a lighter inside a Carrefour supermarket in Taoyuan, which resulted in a destructive blaze.

The fire quickly spiraled out of control, causing explosions in the store, and even spreading to a nearby coffee shop. The Carrefour store had to shut down for half a year. Mr. Kuo was already sentenced to six months in jail in the criminal case, but the financial punishment could be even more painful. Eight insurance companies sued Kuo for damages, and the court has ordered him to pay nearly NT$398 million. The ruling can still be appealed.

#carrefour #viral #challenge #playingwithfire #can #aerosol

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-18

Jeep driver gets stuck after illegally entering Qixingtan

A beach day turned into a roadside rescue for a Jeep driver in Hualien. A tourist apparently put their vehicle’s off-road capabilities to the test by driving straight onto the rocky beach at Qixingtan Scenic Area. But the adventure quickly came to a grinding halt when the Jeep got stuck and couldn’t move. The Coast Guard had to step in and bring in a towing operator to haul the stranded vehicle back to safety.

Pan Yu-jung
Police officer
We were notified that a vehicle had been trapped at Qixing Beach. We immediately dispatched officers to help.

Lin Yi-hsuan
Hualien Tourist Department
Vehicles that enter areas where parking is prohibited, be it to fish or to visit the beach, could be fined in accordance with the Act for the Development of Tourism.

Liu Wen-tsung
Mechanic
If it got in the sea water, it’s best to give it a good high-pressure wash. Wash it four or five times, then wash again with a little more soap.

All five people inside the Jeep were safe, and the vehicle escaped without damage. But the driver could face a fine, as motor vehicles are prohibited from entering the area. A mechanic also warns that the car should get rinsed off as soon as possible to prevent corrosion and damage from the seawater.

#sea #hualien #taiwantravel #jeep #beach #rockybeach #sand #powerwashing #qixingtan

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-18

Scammers pose as Changhua sanitation workers to fleece residents

A new kind of scam has just been unearthed in Changhua. Fraudsters impersonating the Changhua City Office sanitation team have been phoning Changhua residents and offering help with the removal of large furniture and other items. They then request payment via bank transfer. The office’s sanitation team has come out to clarify that only cash payments are involved, with payments made directly to the office or to the workers on-site. The office will never give you a bank account number and ask for a money transfer. Let’s find out more.

Cleaning crews use recycling trucks or garbage trucks to collect trash or large recyclables. If you have large furniture that needs removing, you can hire a cleaning crew for a fee. But is the public clear about the payment methods involved?

- There’s a fee now, did you know?
- Oh, I know, I know.
- So how do they collect the payments?
- How do we pay?
- I’m not sure.

Taking advantage of the fact that some people are unaware of the payment systems, a fraud ring has been impersonating Changhua’s sanitation team. They call up residents and provide them with a bank account number, asking them to pay for cleaning services. Some residents nearly fell victim to this scam.

Member of the public
Commenting on the fraudsters
It’s quite terrifying, because even something like this can end up being a scam. It involves in-person payments or payment to the cleaning crew directly. You’d think bank transfers are out of the question.

Member of the public
Commenting on the fraudsters
Because I don’t know whether the charge is supposed to be via bank transfer or cash. These days, a lot of places don’t use bank transfers like that—otherwise, it’s a scam. Do you really want to get scammed?

The sanitation team says if residents need large furniture removed, they can fill out an application form online, specifying the items to be removed. At the same time, the prices for the disposal items will also be displayed. The team says only cash payments are accepted, and there are absolutely no bank transfers involved.

Chang Hsiao-wei
Changhua City Office
When they call us to verify, we tell them that we still maintain two payment methods: paying at the sanitation office or paying on-site when the waste is removed. We also remind the public that we do not provide bank accounts for money transfers.

Fraudsters are everywhere. This time, they allegedly impersonated the sanitation team and gave people a fake bank account to remit hauling fees in an attempt to defraud them. Residents need to be extra cautious, carefully verify information, and avoid becoming easy prey for scammers.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Taiwanfraud #fraudrings #fraudsters #Changhua #Changhuafraud

2026-08-14

Oil spill deathtrap causes 7 scooter crashes in just 1 hour

As if Taiwan’s roads weren’t dangerous enough already, an oil spill at a busy Taipei intersection made things worse on Tuesday evening. Seven scooters took a spill on the slippery surface within just one hour, at the intersection of Chengde and Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. Let’s hear more.

Lu Chao-ting
Police officer
Seven scooter riders were injured after their scooters slipped and came crashing to the ground. We’re reviewing security camera footage to determine the origin of the oil spill.

Chang Ching-han
FTV reporter
Traffic is very heavy at the intersection, even though it’s not rush hour right now. That’s why the oil spill caused seven scooter crashes in less than an hour.

Fortunately, the scooter riders only sustained minor abrasions, and none were in life-threatening condition. As for the oil leak, police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the responsible driver, who could face a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$18,000. Given how busy that intersection is, it was fortunate that none of the victims ended up under another vehicle, or the crashes could have ended much worse.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#taipei #oil #slippery #messy #mess #taiwannews

2026-08-12

Police officer saves life of man who collapsed at red light

A police officer was at the right place at the right time to save a life in a recent incident in Taipei. A scooter rider that had been waiting a red light collapsed to the ground, apparently due to a medical problem. He lost his breathing and his pulse.

Fortunately for him, officer Wang from the Xiyuan Police Station was directing traffic at the intersection. She immediately called 119, and began performing CPR on the man, until paramedics arrived at the scene. The man was rushed to the hospital, where he regained his vital signs and his condition stabilized.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#police #cpr #medical #traffic #warden

2026-08-11

Man busted trying to sell 5 lemurs at temple parking lot

Five endangered ring-tailed lemurs have been seized in an illegal wildlife deal at a temple parking lot in New Taipei’s Zhonghe District. Animal protection officials intercepted the sale and seized the animals. The owner will be investigated by prosecutors under the Wildlife Conservation Act, and is facing a sentence of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to NT$1.5 million.

With their big eyes, and long fluffy tails, lemurs are one of the superstars of the animal world. They are native to Madagascar and are in high risk of extinction. Hunting and trading them is prohibited everywhere in the world. After a veterinary examination, the five primates were determined to be in good health, but further testing will be necessary to rule out amoebic infections and tuberculosis. For now they have been housed in a safe facility, and will be transferred to Taipei Zoo for care in the future.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#lemur #busted #sale #endangered #nature #newtaipei #taiwan

2026-08-10

Rider loses control over scooter seconds before disembarking ferry

We cover plenty of scooter accidents on roads, but this might be the first time we cover an accident on a ferry. It happened on Sunday afternoon, on a ship connecting Cijin and Gushan in Kaohsiung. Just seconds before disembarking, a rider lost control of his scooter, which lurched forward and sped against a fellow passenger. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Mr. Lee
Witness
A lady to my right immediately shouted at them “Get off the scooter” and “Stop!” It was so dangerous. Online, people think that the passenger might have twisted the handlebar, causing it to speed forward suddenly.

Voice of staff
Gushan ferry pier
- They rushed out as soon as we moored the ship.
- Such a rush.
- I don’t know, haha.
- They lost control over the accelerator.
- Yeah, yeah.

Scooter rider
Commenting on incident
It’s very dangerous. They must have been in a rush to disembark.

Scooter rider
Commenting on incident
It’s the first time I see something like that. I’ve taken the ferry for so long, but it’s the first time I see that.

Whether the rider accidentally lost control of the throttle or deliberately twisted the handlebars, only those involved know for sure. The two parties left separately, without injuries and without reporting the incident. Fortunately, the ferry’s loading ramp had not yet been lowered, otherwise, the sudden acceleration could have sent the vehicle straight into the sea.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#scooter #ferry #kaohsiung #seatravel #publictransport #city #citylife

2026-08-10

Viral video of Vaseline use on dolphin inspires brand collaboration

Dolphins also need to care for their skin. A dolphin caretaker at Hualien’s Farglory Ocean Park said dolphins are prone to dry, cracked skin in the winter, and shared a video of him applying Vaseline to their skin for protection, which unexpectedly went viral.

Five dolphins at Hualien’s Farglory Ocean Park respond to their trainers’ gestures, jumping into the air and diving back into the water. While the dolphin show has been replaced with an educational program, these five dolphins are still the park’s stars.

Teng Chun-jen
Ocean park brand development director
We hope that the animals in the park will receive even better care and that visitors can learn more about them from a different perspective.

This dolphin caretaker, Lao Tien, has been at the park for 12 years and often posts about his work on social media. One recent post got a lot of attention.

It turns out dolphins also need skincare. This post about applying Vaseline to the dolphins’ skin in winter went viral.

Lao Tien
Dolphin caretaker
I covered the skin around this area so that it will retain moisture. This way it won’t crack due to cold weather or dry winds.

The skin around the dolphin’s blowhole tends to get dry and crack in the winter, just like human skin. Lao Tien tried using Vaseline to keep the skin hydrated. The video’s popularity led the brand to approach him to collaborate.

Huang Yi-ting
Brand manager
We hope that sustainability can become a tangible and visible action and to create a space where people can experience it in a tangible and meaningful way.

The collaboration between the ocean park and Vaseline shows both organizations are turning their focus to sustainable development.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#OceanPark #Hualien #dolphin #dolphintrainer #viral #Vaseline #skincare #dolphinskincare #sustainability #conservation

2026-08-06

Taoyuan incidents bring back attention to pedestrian safety

Taiwan is struggling to shake off its reputation as a “pedestrian hell.” Two separate incidents in Taoyuan have brought back attention to the matter of pedestrian safety. In one, a flatbed truck narrowly missed running over a pedestrian who was crossing the street at a zebra crossing. In the other one, a woman was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage after she was hit by a city bus, also at a zebra crossing.

One moment, a woman is crossing the road at a busy intersection. The next, she’s sent flying onto the asphalt by a bus turning left at a green light.

Hsieh Kuang-chih
Police officer
The bus driver, Mr. Cheng, was making a left turn when he collided with Ms. Hsueh, who was walking on the zebra crossing. Ms. Hsueh sustained injuries including a brain hemorrhage.

The incident happened in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District, when a bus servicing the L209 line turned left from Xinsheng Road onto Huanbei Road. Its driver, Mr. Cheng, failed to yield to the pedestrian, Ms. Hsueh, whose relatives claim he sped up and only hit the brakes after the crash.

Ms. Hsueh, 28, was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage. Mr. Cheng, who had a blood alcohol content of zero, is now facing a fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crossing resulting in injury.

A similar incident took place at the intersection between Longshou Street and Zhonghua Road in Bade District. A flatbed truck making a right turn didn’t stop or yield to pedestrians at a zebra crossing, speeding past at barely a few inches away from them.

- Honk!
- I’ll report him for you!
- I’ll report him for you!

The truck went for the turn, almost causing a crash at the crossing. Fortunately, the pedestrian closest to the truck reacted quickly and jumped back in shock. The motorist who witnessed the near-miss was outraged, and pledged to report the truck driver on behalf of the pedestrians.

Chen Chien-ming
Police officer
Drivers who fail to yield and stop for pedestrians at a crossing face fines of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

Taiwan has gained a reputation internationally as a “pedestrian hell.” Even though the government raised penalties for failing to yield to a maximum fine of NT$6,000, it seems Taiwan still has a long way to go in terms of pedestrian safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taiwan #pedestrianhell #traffic #yield #wheels #car #bus #scooter

2026-08-04