PHUKET: Talks aimed at discussing what can be done to prevent future violence by Patong's security bouncers were to take place today but have been postponed, with a new date yet to be set.
The meeting was due to take place with officers from Kathu Police Station but at least one of the key investigators was not available.
One aspect yet to be clarified is whether the five bouncers who kicked and elbowed tourists from Australia as they lay on the ground or tried to stand up have been sacked or retained.
The White Room, where the incident took place, was ordered to shut for seven days following the vicious attack, which was recorded by a bystander with a mobile telephone.
The video was posted on Facebook and drew at least 280,000 views before being removed - but not before being spotted by news outlets and reproduced around the world, especially in Australia.
A compact English-language newspaper on Phuket says the White Room security guards have been sacked, while the island's tabloid-sized English language newspaper reports unequivocally that the bouncers have kept their jobs.
One newspaper appears to base its report on an anonymous comment from White Room management. The other report relies on a comment from President of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut.
Phuketwan has heard from Khun Weerawit but not from White Room management.
The venue was ordered to close for seven nights, and so could be expected to reopen on Friday night.
Police should be examining whether its possible to lay charges against the bouncers without having the victims testify in Thailand. The video clearly shows assaults being committed.
Given the need for justice to be seen to be done, could testimony be provided from Australia? What about the evidence of people who witnessed the crimes and are still on Phuket?
Phuketwan understands that needless violence on the holiday island has been discussed at senior levels in Bangkok over several days, with questions asked about both the Patong bashing and the 15-hour siege of Thalang Police Station by an angry mob of hundreds of locals.
One key question is why the siege was only lifted after a large contingent of Army troops made a five-hour trip from Nakkon Si Thammarat.
Readiness on Phuket to deal with an unexpected emergency appeared to be lacking.
Phuketwan has suggested police presence in and around Soi Bangla must be increased to prevent a repetition of needless violence that could only further damage Phuket's reputation.
Police appeared to be slow in getting to the scene of the bouncers' beating but a 15-hour delay in lifting the siege of a holiday island police station is even more surprising.
Embassies representing tourists and expats and business organisations on Phuket should be looking for guarantees that in future, a response by authorities can be expected to come much, much faster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=P6ZURGrYyqY
WARNING: This video contains brutal violence
http://goo.gl/lXjb8u
The meeting was due to take place with officers from Kathu Police Station but at least one of the key investigators was not available.
One aspect yet to be clarified is whether the five bouncers who kicked and elbowed tourists from Australia as they lay on the ground or tried to stand up have been sacked or retained.
The White Room, where the incident took place, was ordered to shut for seven days following the vicious attack, which was recorded by a bystander with a mobile telephone.
The video was posted on Facebook and drew at least 280,000 views before being removed - but not before being spotted by news outlets and reproduced around the world, especially in Australia.
A compact English-language newspaper on Phuket says the White Room security guards have been sacked, while the island's tabloid-sized English language newspaper reports unequivocally that the bouncers have kept their jobs.
One newspaper appears to base its report on an anonymous comment from White Room management. The other report relies on a comment from President of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut.
Phuketwan has heard from Khun Weerawit but not from White Room management.
The venue was ordered to close for seven nights, and so could be expected to reopen on Friday night.
Police should be examining whether its possible to lay charges against the bouncers without having the victims testify in Thailand. The video clearly shows assaults being committed.
Given the need for justice to be seen to be done, could testimony be provided from Australia? What about the evidence of people who witnessed the crimes and are still on Phuket?
Phuketwan understands that needless violence on the holiday island has been discussed at senior levels in Bangkok over several days, with questions asked about both the Patong bashing and the 15-hour siege of Thalang Police Station by an angry mob of hundreds of locals.
One key question is why the siege was only lifted after a large contingent of Army troops made a five-hour trip from Nakkon Si Thammarat.
Readiness on Phuket to deal with an unexpected emergency appeared to be lacking.
Phuketwan has suggested police presence in and around Soi Bangla must be increased to prevent a repetition of needless violence that could only further damage Phuket's reputation.
Police appeared to be slow in getting to the scene of the bouncers' beating but a 15-hour delay in lifting the siege of a holiday island police station is even more surprising.
Embassies representing tourists and expats and business organisations on Phuket should be looking for guarantees that in future, a response by authorities can be expected to come much, much faster.
VIDEO The Battle for Phuket's Thalang Police Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=P6ZURGrYyqY
VIDEO Guards Evict Aussie Tourists
WARNING: This video contains brutal violence
http://goo.gl/lXjb8u
PHUKET: Talks aimed at discussing what can be done to prevent future violence by Patong's security bouncers were to take place today but have been postponed, with a new date yet to be set
we are aware how postpones in Phuket work like the 7 year jet ski phase out the embassy counsel meetings the bus line postponed to be swept under the carpet and disappear does Phuket dare to change indeed.
Posted by slickmelb on October 14, 2015 15:34