PHUKET – Mr. Graham, a 35-year-old British man involved in the incident with the Thai tuk-tuk driver in Phuket, was detained at a Phi Phi Island resort in Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, at 9:00 p.m. on April 30 and transported to Phuket’s Karon Police Station.
Video footage inside a car shows him using his two hands to strangle the driver’s neck at 4:00 a.m. on April 27.
On Wednesday, May 1, police officers from Karon Police Station brought Mr. Graham to court to face the charge of assault without causing physical or mental harm. This came after police arrested him on Phi Phi Island in Krabi province.
Abdulla, a tuk-tuk driver, stated that he picked up the British guy, Mr. Graham, from the Patong area and drove him to a hotel in Karon, Mueang Phuket District, for 400 baht. When they arrived at the hotel, Mr. Graham claimed to have given the driver a 1,000-baht Thai cash and demanded change. However, Abdulla asserted that it was merely a 100-baht note. The two argued, and then Mr. Graham grabbed Abdulla’s neck, hit him in the face, and fled.
Following the event, Abdulla went to Patong Hospital for a medical evaluation. The doctor determined that he had an injury to his left cheek but no evident external wounds. He then proceeded to the Karon Police Station and filed an official complaint against Mr. Graham.
Later, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, officers from Karon Police Station, Phuket Immigration Police, and Phuket Tourist Police questioned Mr. Graham together. He admitted to the claimed conduct and apologised for the incident. Mr. Abdulla, the other party involved, gave the police with additional testimony. His father, Mr. Bunghe, joined him, saying he and his son were pleased with and thankful to the police.
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