PHUKET — A Kuwaiti national was assaulted in front of Central Patong Shopping Mall on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Kathu District, Phuket, and subsequently sent for treatment at Patong Hospital. This incident has sparked criticism regarding the use of excessive violence and the problem of local thuggish influence.
On July 19, Police Colonel Chalermchai Hernsawat, Superintendent of Patong Police Station, disclosed updates on the case. The police have questioned Mr. Turky, a 30-year-old Kuwaiti national who was the victim of the assault, about the incident. They also interviewed Patong Police officers who apprehended the three suspects and conducted drug tests on them, which came back negative.
The investigation team reviewed CCTV footage of the incident. On July 15, at approximately 1:46 AM, Mr. Turky was riding a motorcycle with Miss Shalma as a passenger. They parked in the motorcycle parking area in front of Central Patong. After parking, the first suspect, Mr. Jatupol, approached and told him he couldn’t park there as it was reserved for motorcycle taxis.
Then, the second suspect, Mr. Sayumphu, pushed Mr. Turky and punched him. The Kuwaiti man tried to escape and return to his motorcycle, but Mr. Sayumphu followed and punched him in the face again, causing him to fall. At this point, the third suspect, Mr. Thanakorn, also punched the Kuwaiti man, while Mr. Sayumphu kicked him twice before both fled.
Later, rescue workers arrived to take Mr. Turky to the hospital. All three suspects were arrested. After they confessed, Patong Police investigators charged them with jointly assaulting another person, causing physical and mental harm. This offense carries a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both.
Regarding the establishment of motorcycle taxi queues in front of the shopping mall, Patong Police officials have notified Phuket Transport to organize and prevent the use of local influence to harm others in the future.
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