PHUKET: Police have arrested one motorcycle taxi driver and are seeking several other men after an assault on two British tourists about 11.30pm last night.
Video evidence obtained from a security camera in Patong enabled police to see what happened.
Authai Sesang, 27, was arrested quickly at his apartment in Soi Nanai thanks to the compilation of details about all tuk-tuk, taxi and motorcycle riders under the Patong Safety Zone scheme.
Police named Thomas James, 40, and Darren Johnvose, 32, as the two British tourists who were the apparent victims of the assault.
The dispute took place in Soi Sansabai about 11.30pm. Investigators are now tracing other men involved, Patong police said.
Police in Patong also staged a surprise checkpoint on the road behind Jungceylon last night, checking all vehicles for drugs and weapons as part of the Patong Safety Zone project.
Video evidence obtained from a security camera in Patong enabled police to see what happened.
Authai Sesang, 27, was arrested quickly at his apartment in Soi Nanai thanks to the compilation of details about all tuk-tuk, taxi and motorcycle riders under the Patong Safety Zone scheme.
Police named Thomas James, 40, and Darren Johnvose, 32, as the two British tourists who were the apparent victims of the assault.
The dispute took place in Soi Sansabai about 11.30pm. Investigators are now tracing other men involved, Patong police said.
Police in Patong also staged a surprise checkpoint on the road behind Jungceylon last night, checking all vehicles for drugs and weapons as part of the Patong Safety Zone project.
Nice to see the authorities taking some action for a change. But some would argue is this just a little bit too late?
Phuket before was a great holiday destination. Friendly people, relatively safe, easy to get around and cheap. But just over a decade the place has dramatically transformed to a commercial nightmare, where the roads are very busy, the locals are evidently not as friendly as before and the place is becoming more & more expensive. With so many other holiday destinations on the offering, should those in power now be asking themselves should we be doing more to attract tourists?
I would certainly say yes, and the fact is the main concern, especially here in Europe is tourist safety and value for money. Until the authorities really get a grip on this, then I can only see a dramatic decline in the number of tourists coming to Phuket.
It is very sad when you consider Phuket had so much potential to become that much better.
Posted by reader on October 7, 2012 14:00