UPDATE
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, having been told of a previous stabbing attack at the Rachada Pub in Phuket City's Poonpol district, opted to order the venue to shut for 90 days rather than 60 days. Victim Vorasit ''Wan'' Issara underwent more surgery today.
Original Report
PHUKET: A broken glass sparked the stabbing of a resort owner in the back and stomach in an early-morning pub altercation with ''security guards'' in Phuket City, police said today.
Six men used an array of weapons - including a homemade tomahawk - on Vorasit ''Wan'' Issara, 30, wealthy owner of the Sri panwa on Phuket's east coast. His driver, Nopadon Preechawai, 30, was also wounded.
Both men remain in the intensive care unit at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, new Phuket Police Commander Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun told the media today at Phuket City Police Station.
The six men - one under 18 - have confessed, the Major General said today, but he restricted the questions that journalists sought to ask when all six were presented.
All entertainment venues on Phuket would be contacted and questioned about opening hours and security staff, Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha told Phuketwan today.
Governor Tri visited Khun Wan today and other VIP guests were expected. At an earlier media conference, the governor said an application would be made to close the Rassada Pub in Phuket City's Poonpol district, where the altercation occurred early on Wednesday, for 60 days.
Details of the cause of the 4am confrontation remain unclear.
But Major General Chonsit did say Khun Wan was with four or five other people, including expats. Sri panwa is noted for attracting celebrities and has in the past been a holiday destination for former Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva and his family.
Commander Chonsit said the friends were sitting in the pub when a glass fell on the floor and broke. The assault was committed soon after, he said.
''There was a misunderstanding that developed into a violent confrontation,'' he said.
When asked who started the fight, he did not respond.
Major General Chonsit said he met with the parents of Khun Wan at Bangkok Hospital Phuket yesterday.
The six men sat impassively. All were ''invited'' to report to police and did so, Major General Chonsit said.
Justice would be applied fairly in the case, he added. ''We don't work only for famous people, but for everyone,'' he said. ''We will listen carefully to both sides.''
He said ''Please, please, please'' when journalists tried to question the six directly.
They were named as Jarungsuk Sawangkit, 29, Suriya Kraipen, 33, Suchat Pahla, 26, Nattawut Kongplup, 19, Wasan Photong, 20, and a minor who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
A very popular guy from a highly ranked family. This will encourage the truth about Phuket's safety to come out. Thai media will be all over it I imagine.
I wish the guy well!
Posted by S on January 5, 2012 12:38
Editor Comment:
There are plenty of unanswered questions about this pub and other venues like it that are allowed to open late all over the island. If the new Police Commander is keen to make an impression, he has an opportunity to do so quickly.