Today's Updating Report: Photo Album Above
AN ENGLISHMAN and an American fell out and fought a drunken brawl at a bar on Phuket early today - and the Englishman, dressed in a black shirt and black shorts, later stabbed the American to death.
A manhunt is now being conducted on the tropical holiday island for the killer, who is on the run and possibly dangerous. All resorts, hotels, guesthouses and apartment blocks are being checked one by one in the search for the fugitive.
The wanted man has a tattoo, 'Muay Thai,' on his right thigh. He was last seen riding a Honda Click motorcycle.
Police named the dead American man today as Dashawn Longfellow, 23. Officers say they know the English suspect only as ''Mr Lee.''
Police say the killer bought two cheap fruit knives from a 7-Eleven store nearby, opposite Nikita's restaurant in Rawai, southern Phuket, then went hunting his victim.
A security camera still shot of the alleged murderer is in the Photo Album above.
In the first accounts of what took place, officers say the two men, both muay Thai kickboxing exponents, met for the first time when they both went to the toilet at the Freedom Bar, a well-known haunt for expats in Rawai.
In the toilet, police say other patrons in the bar told them, the American bragged about his strength, without knowing that the Englishman was also a muay Thai exponent.
The two engaged in a drunken fight and the American won. Police said that about 4.30am, the American left the bar and rode his motorcycle home to his 15,000 baht a month apartment at Ya Nui Resort II, about two kilometres from the bar, in a quiet part of the island.
About 5am, police believe, the Englishman caught up with the American in the bedroom of the American's apartment at the resort and stabbed the American twice. Officers later found a blood-stained fruit knife, discarded 300 metres away.
Police across the whole of Phuket are hunting for the Englishman. Phuket International Airport and the Tachatchai checkpoint before the only road exit off Phuket were said to be under tight security. Checks are also likely to be made of vessels leaving Phuket by sea.
An employee at the apartment resort - Ya Nui Resort II, which also goes by the name of Paradise Beach - said Mr Longfellow had been at the resort for one month and intended to stay there for two more months. ''He was quiet, a nice boy,'' she said.
Mr Longfellow was killed in his apartment bedroom, she said. He did not lock the door. There was no reception area for guests to pass on the way to their apartments.
Bars on Phuket are supposed to close at 2am but there is a tacit understanding in some parts of the island that holidaymakers and expat residents can drink on until much later.
Rawai is noted for its slightly Bohemian edge. It's a beach without really having a sandy stretch worthy of the name, although Thais do enjoy picnicking there when the tide is out.
In the casual Rawai tradition, Nikita's restaurant and bar has operated for almost 20 years until recently by serving meals cooked in a neighboring establishment.
Another expat American, former US Navy officer Ronald Fanelli, faces a murder charge over the killing of a Phuket bar hostess earlier this year. He has admitted to stabbing her twice and stuffing her naked body into a travel bag that he dumped by an isolated roadway.
Were you at the Freedom Bar or Ya Nui Resort today? If so, please call Phuketwan on 076 236837
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@In the toilet, police say other patrons in the bar told them, the American bragged about his strength, without knowing that the Englishman was also a muay Thai exponent.
The two engaged in a drunken fight and the American won. Police said that about 4.30am, the American left the bar and rode his motorcycle to the Ya Nui Resort, in a quiet part of the island.
I am wondering why a bar in Rawai is open at 04h30 early in the morning.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 14, 2010 10:39