Two men have been charged with assault after they allegedly attacked two Chinese tourists following an argument on a speedboat on Wednesday.
The arrests come after a video clip went viral entitled “Yunnan tour guide attacks Chinese tourists at Nontasak Pier”.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Tipjaroen has ordered an investigation.
Police interviewed the tourists at Vachira Hospital in Phuket to gather evidence. Lyu Jinlin, 38, sustained head injuries and his leg was hit with a wooden stick. Lin Jianei, 45, has serious ear injuries where he was struck by a bottle. His legs were also scratched.
“They put their bags on a seat. A Thai family who were on the same speedboat told them twice to remove their bags from the seat. The tourists told them ‘they had no need to shout’ before they removed their bags off the seat. The Thais later attacked them, according to the report.”
The Phuket City Police Chief Col Sompong Tiparpakun said: “At 9pm three suspects surrendered – 24-year-old Pa Tongdee and 27-year-old Siri Sankam, both from Chiang Mai. The other one was 26-year-old Liayaoyi, a Burmese national.”
Liayaoyi told police he was arguing with the two tourists about putting bags on the boat seat. When the speedboat arrived at Phuket pier in the afternoon, the argument continued. He claims the tourists used a wooden stick to hit him first. After that Siri and Pam, who are Liayaoyi‘s friends, saw what was happening and tried to help him.
Sompong said: “Pa and Liayaoyi have been charged with assault. The two tourists have identified them. Siri hasn’t been charged yet as the tourists did not recall his face. “Pa and Liayaoyi have been bailed for Bt20,000 each. The case will be transferred to the Phuket Provincial Court today pending a hearing into the incident.“
