PHUKET: A police officer accused of beating up a nightclub staffer has been transferred from Patong to Phuket City after a mass protest in Soi Bangla last night.
About 100 protesters - mostly colleagues of the injured Hollywood worker, who suffered six stitches to a wound inflicted with a beer bottle and two broken teeth - demanded action from the Governor of Phuket.
They were calmed by the Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Akanit Danpitak, who apologised for what had happened. A full investigation is to follow, he told the protesters, who gathered outside the Hollywood disco about 8pm.
Under an order from the Commander of Patong Police Station, the accused officer, Lieutenant Sorapong Chookeaw, has been transferred from Patong to Phuket City for 30 days during which an investigation will be carried out.
Only the account from the point of view of the injured Hollywood staffer, Kamonchai Singkead, 29, has been revealed so far.
Khun Kamonchai, who suffered a head wound and broken teeth, says the attack was unprovoked.
The accused officer and five or six other police turned up at the disco about 2am yesterday, according to Khun Kamonchai.
Problems began, according to Khun Kamonchai, when the officer said: ''Why are you looking at my face?'' He was then assaulted.
According to others, as colleagues moved to help Khun Kamonchai, the officer allegedly told them: ''If you come any closer, I am going to shoot you.'' It is not clear whether the accused officer is alleged to have drawn his weapon.
About 100 protesters - mostly colleagues of the injured Hollywood worker, who suffered six stitches to a wound inflicted with a beer bottle and two broken teeth - demanded action from the Governor of Phuket.
They were calmed by the Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Akanit Danpitak, who apologised for what had happened. A full investigation is to follow, he told the protesters, who gathered outside the Hollywood disco about 8pm.
Under an order from the Commander of Patong Police Station, the accused officer, Lieutenant Sorapong Chookeaw, has been transferred from Patong to Phuket City for 30 days during which an investigation will be carried out.
Only the account from the point of view of the injured Hollywood staffer, Kamonchai Singkead, 29, has been revealed so far.
Khun Kamonchai, who suffered a head wound and broken teeth, says the attack was unprovoked.
The accused officer and five or six other police turned up at the disco about 2am yesterday, according to Khun Kamonchai.
Problems began, according to Khun Kamonchai, when the officer said: ''Why are you looking at my face?'' He was then assaulted.
According to others, as colleagues moved to help Khun Kamonchai, the officer allegedly told them: ''If you come any closer, I am going to shoot you.'' It is not clear whether the accused officer is alleged to have drawn his weapon.
Ah Yes...being transferred should solve the problem quickly
Posted by sky on June 11, 2015 10:25
Editor Comment:
A sensible interim measure, sky, with an investigation underway. Nothing wrong there.