Thread: Patong tuk-tuk driver, four others, arrested for assault on Swedish tourist

Police have arrested one tuk-tuk driver and four other suspects for the assault of a Swedish tourist on Bangla Rd in Patong early yesterday morning (June 27).

Officers were called to Bangla Rd at 3:45am, where they found a Swedish man lying unresponsive on the road. He was soon rushed to Patong Hospital and later taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

The man was identified in the Patong Police report as 32-year-old “Frederik Gustav Wilhelm Erikson Holm”, but named by the Tourist Police as Federik Holm Ericsson Oestlund.

Witnesses told police that the tourist appeared to be drunk when he walked down Bangla Rd. He was reportedly heading to his accommodation but became embroiled in an argument with tuk-tuk driver Natee Dechaoop.

Police arrested Natee shortly after the incident, and after reviewing CCTV footage later yesterday, Patong Police Chief Col Chaiwat Uykam led a team of officers along with Tourist Police to arrest four more suspects: Yosphas Chaona, 21; Sompong Wichienrat, 29; Jirawat Pratumchart, 34; and Busaron Kalupae, 28.

The Phuket News has yet to confirm whether or not the four were also tuk-tuk drivers.

All five were taken to Patong Police Station to be charged with assault.

The Swedish tourist was later discharged from hospital and yesterday was well enough to assist police.

Patong tuk-tuk driver, four others, arrested for assault on Swedish tourist

Old mate was likely over indulging in the vodkas and just wanted to get back to his gaff, met a bunch of un reasonable somchais who wanted to take advantage of his pissedd up state perhaps the scando didn't like the over inflated charge. Just my opinion . Phukets a shitfight at the best of times but it's a tourist town so familiarity breeds contempt?
In a more positive light I once took a Tuk Tuk from bar area in udon Thani back to my hotel which was miles away and was so pissed I fell out of the Tuk Tuk on arrival. Tuk Tuk driver with assistance from the concierge ( the unlucky guy on graveyard shift) carried me to my room, in the morning staff all laughing and smiling ! Wife wasn't to impressed but I was . Still had my wallet and watch, issan folk, salt of the earth.