KOH SAMUI — A British man has been arrested after allegedly attacking a French tourist at a Koh Samui hotel on November 19 in what police describe as a jealousy-fueled incident involving his Thai girlfriend.
Police at Bo Phut Police Station responded to an assault report around noon at a hotel in Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province. Officers found two injured victims: Mr. Mathis, a 23-year-old French national, and Ms. Kanokwan, a 21-year-old Thai woman from Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Both sustained injuries and were transported to hospital, with Kanokwan reportedly suffering serious harm.
Authorities apprehended the alleged perpetrator at the scene, identified as Mr. Richard, a 44-year-old British national. During questioning, Richard told police he discovered Kanokwan, his girlfriend, in the hotel room with Mathis. He admitted to immediately attacking the French man out of jealousy.
However, Richard denied responsibility for the woman’s injuries, claiming that Kanokwan had harmed herself and alleging she had a history of self-harm.
Investigators have recorded statements from the suspect and are awaiting medical reports from doctors. Police are also waiting for Kanokwan’s condition to improve before taking her testimony. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the incident before proceeding with formal charges.
Under Thai criminal law, penalties for assault vary depending on the severity of injuries sustained. Minor assault carries a maximum sentence of one month imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht ($310). However, if the assault causes serious bodily harm, perpetrators face six months to 10 years imprisonment and fines ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 baht ($310-6,170).
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