BANGKOK — A Norwegian man was arrested after allegedly trying to hijack a tuk-tuk and later assaulting a woman to steal her bicycle in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area, police said Saturday.
Metropolitan Police Division 5 commander Maj. Gen. Witawat Chinnakham said officers from Thonglor police arrested the 33-year-old Norwegian, identified as Notland Jorgen, at noon on December 5 in front of the Nikko Bangkok Hotel on Sukhumvit 55. He was found with a red bicycle taken from one of the victims.
Police were first alerted to an assault near Sukhumvit 25, where tuk-tuk driver Wasan told officers that the suspect approached him as if asking for directions, then shoved him off the vehicle and tried to drive away. Wasan managed to remove the key before the suspect fled on foot.
The man then confronted a second victim, Sunee, near Sukhumvit 43, pushing her off her bicycle and injuring her before riding away toward Thonglor Road, police said.
Officers chased and intercepted him near the hotel. Police said he ignored commands to stop and had to be restrained.
Both victims later identified him as the attacker. Police said they suspect the man may have mental health issues. He faces charges of attempted robbery causing harm and robbery causing harm.
The suspect later injured himself by repeatedly hitting his head against the holding cell bars, police said. He tested negative for alcohol, and officers are awaiting drug test results. Immigration police and the Norwegian Embassy have been notified.
Later on the morning of December 6, police transferred the Norwegian man to a Bangkok hospital for treatment.
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