PHUKET: The Phuket expat who was a victim of an attack attributed to Patong tuk-tuk drivers flew back to Germany last weekend, his wife has told Phuketwan.
Ironically, Kurt Trotnow's return home came as Germany's leading magazine, Stern (Star), reported at length on his case and highlighted a series of other issues associated with the activities of the so-called ''Mafia'' on Phuket.
Mr Trotnow, 53, will have operations in Germany to repair the damage done in the attack in Patong last month and in operations on his skull as he lay in a coma in the weeks that followed.
The assault on Mr Trotnow - described as a ''dog pack attack'' by one Bangkok-based journalist - horrified the Phuket expat community because it came in retaliation in a dispute over whether a short-distance tuk-tuk fare was 100 baht or 200 baht.
The attackers have not been found, nor has the identity of the tuk-tuk driver and his wife, who was in the passenger seat alongside her husband, been established.
Mr Trotnow's wife, Jiraporn ''Joy'' Choochep, 30, did not get a good look at the couple or at her husband's attackers.
As well as an operation to repair his skull, the Phuket expat resident will also have operations relating to a chronic blood vessel condition.
His attack in Patong was followed soon after by an incident outside a five-star resort in the most prestigious part of Kamala, another popular beach destination, north of Patong.
A driver for an elephant trekking company was assaulted by local taxi drivers and the windscreen of his vehicle was smashed by an iron bar before he managed to drive away.
The man who allegedly wielded the iron bar, Wasan Saneh, 35, gave himself up to Kamala Police this week and was allowed bail in his own recognissance.
Two other men allegedly involved in the incident have been granted bail.
Kamala Police Superintendent Colonel Nattapakin Kwanchaipruk said that police investigations are continuing.
Ironically, Kurt Trotnow's return home came as Germany's leading magazine, Stern (Star), reported at length on his case and highlighted a series of other issues associated with the activities of the so-called ''Mafia'' on Phuket.
Mr Trotnow, 53, will have operations in Germany to repair the damage done in the attack in Patong last month and in operations on his skull as he lay in a coma in the weeks that followed.
The assault on Mr Trotnow - described as a ''dog pack attack'' by one Bangkok-based journalist - horrified the Phuket expat community because it came in retaliation in a dispute over whether a short-distance tuk-tuk fare was 100 baht or 200 baht.
The attackers have not been found, nor has the identity of the tuk-tuk driver and his wife, who was in the passenger seat alongside her husband, been established.
Mr Trotnow's wife, Jiraporn ''Joy'' Choochep, 30, did not get a good look at the couple or at her husband's attackers.
As well as an operation to repair his skull, the Phuket expat resident will also have operations relating to a chronic blood vessel condition.
His attack in Patong was followed soon after by an incident outside a five-star resort in the most prestigious part of Kamala, another popular beach destination, north of Patong.
A driver for an elephant trekking company was assaulted by local taxi drivers and the windscreen of his vehicle was smashed by an iron bar before he managed to drive away.
The man who allegedly wielded the iron bar, Wasan Saneh, 35, gave himself up to Kamala Police this week and was allowed bail in his own recognissance.
Two other men allegedly involved in the incident have been granted bail.
Kamala Police Superintendent Colonel Nattapakin Kwanchaipruk said that police investigations are continuing.
Sad story...but how come the organisations for the tuk-tuks not step up, take responsibility and pay the German's expenses ... after all this incident makes all tuk-tuk drivers look bad and I am somehow sure that there are some good guys among them as well.
Posted by Bjarne on October 1, 2011 07:30