Two citizens of New Zealand will lose their tourist visas and will be banned from returning to Thailand after reportedly attacking a Phuket traffic police officer and trying to take his service firearm in Chalong district on Saturday.
Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy chief of the national police, said in a Facebook post today that when he found out about the incident, he immediately instructed the immigration police chief in Phuket to cancel the visas of the two suspects and prevent them from coming back to Thailand after the legal process is finished.
The event occurred when Pol Sgt-Major (first class) Somsak Nu-iad, who was controlling traffic on Chao Fah Tawan-ok Road, spotted the two men riding a motorbike and instructed them to stop, alleging they were speeding and driving recklessly.
They didn't stop and attempted to drive away, prompting Somsak to pursue them. He caught up with them and ordered them to pull over.
It is claimed that at first, the two unsuccessfully tried to bribe the officer, who used his smart phone to film the event. One of the suspects then tried to grab the officer’s smart phone, leading to a physical fight. The officer was pushed to the ground.
One of the suspects reportedly tried to grab the officer’s gun, causing it to fire once. Nobody was injured. The other suspect, who wasn't part of the original fight, then took the gun from his companion.
Another police officer came to the scene and detained the two New Zealanders at Chalong district police station.
The two suspects are charged with several offenses, including assault, resisting police arrest, speeding, driving without a license, and attempting to bribe a police officer.
