A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the altercation around 4.45am yesterday, August 15. The case was then referred to Police Station Superintendent Chalermchai Hirsawat, who arrived at the scene with representatives from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation.
Upon arrival, police found the two Singaporean tourists, 21 year old Clifton Lau and 22 year old Nigel Tey, sitting on the pavement outside the hotel, both with blood on their faces and clothes. Nearby, the hotel security guard, Suphawut Chaladchalam, also showed signs of injury.
Following initial questioning, Suphawut stated that the altercation began when the two tourists attempted to leave the hotel without settling their bills. He tried to intervene, advising them to return and complete the necessary check-out process.
Suphawut claimed that one of the tourists then assaulted him by punching him and smashing a bottle against his back. In response, Suphawut retaliated by throwing punches at both men.
Members of the Kusoldharm Foundation transported all three men to Patong Hospital for treatment. Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events and whether any charges will be filed, reported Phuket News.
In related news, a Thai man took to social media to call for justice after an influential person in the Isaan province of Sisaket physically assaulted his girlfriend for refusing to clink glasses with him at a nightclub on August 12.
The Thai man shared a screenshot of security footage on Facebook on August 14, showing his girlfriend being attacked. The man explained that his girlfriend was slapped in the face, and the attacker also dragged her along the road outside the nightclub by pulling her hair.