An angry Australian tourist on Koh Chang went berserk, tried to attack pedestrians with a kitchen knife, and set fire to three vehicles because his rented motorbike consumed too much fuel, police said...
Trat, Thailand — An angry Australian tourist went wild on Thailand’s Chang Island on Saturday, torched three motorcycles, and tried to attack pedestrians with a kitchen knife, all because his rented motorcycle consumed too much fuel, said police.
A Bangkok Post report identified the tourist as Kent Wesley Farrar, aged 47, according to information given by Pol Capt Banjerd Krachangsaeng, an investigating officer at the Koh Chang police station.
A 55-year-old operator of a local motorcycle rental service by the name of Narong Borploy said Mr. Farrar had rented a motorbike from him one week earlier.
Mr. Narong said when the Australian came back to return the vehicle, he started yelling at him and complaining that the bike used too much fuel.
The operator said he told the tourist he could rent a different bike if he wanted to, but the Australian was still livid and demanded a refund.
The two men continued with the argument and a fight broke out, during which the Mr. Farrar received an injury to his head.
At that point, the tourist took a bottle of gasoline inside the shop and poured it on three motorcycles which were parked in front of the shop, and set them on fire, according to the Bangkok Post report.
The Australian also got a kitchen knife from a nearby store and attempted to attack other people who were walking by.
A team of police officers finally arrived at the scene and were able to calm the man down.
Police charged Mr. Farrar with arson. The damage he inflicted was estimated to be 100,000 baht (US$3,100).