Brit charged for throttling, slapping tuk-tuk driver
ABritish man has been arrested and charged for throttling and slapping a tuk-tuk driver during a dispute over the driver not returning the correct change for a fare from Patong to Karon.
Karon Police confirmed that 31-year-old British national Luke Alexander Graham was arrested at a resort on Phi Phi Island at about 9:15pm on Apr 30.
Graham, from Bury, in the Greater Manchester area, was arrested under a warrant issued yesterday by Phuket Provincial Court for the charge of physical assault.
Officers confirmed Graham’s identity by checking his passport and he confirmed he was the person named in the claimed to have handed Mr arrest warrant, police said inndAbdullah a B1,000 note, and their report. demanded his change. Mr Ab
Graham was informed of dullahd said Graham handed the charge against him, and him only a B100 note. informed of his rights, then The pair argued, leading taken to Koh Phi Phi Police to Graham placing his hands Station to record his arrest, around Mr Abdullah’s neck officers said. and slapping him in the face
Graham was then brought before walking off. back to Phuket and taken Later at Patong Hospital to Karon Police Station for doctors confirmed that Mr further legal action. Abdullah had an “injury” to his left cheek, but no other external injuries.
Mr Abdullah later filed a formal complaint at Karon Police Station, which was recorded by Pol Lt Col Aeksak Kwanwan
THE INCIDENT
According to Karon Police Chief Pol Col Khundet Na Nongkhai the incident occurred at 4am on Apr 27.
Tuk-tuk driver Abdullah Sasahe had picked up Graham in Patong and had brought him to a hotel in Karon for an agreed fare of B400.
On arrival, Graham
THE AFTERMATH
At Karon Police Station on May 1, officers from the Karon Police, Phuket Immigration and the Phuket Tourist Police questioned Graham.
Representing the tuk-tuk driver Mr Abdullah and present at Karon Police Station to give additional statements was his father, Bang Hae.
Bang Hae told reporters that his son called him early Saturday morning to explain what had happened. He said his son did not want the foreigner to get upset, but the foreigner was drunk and assaulted him.
His son, tuk-tuk driver Mr Abdullah, does not speak English, Bang Hae said.
Bang Hae added that he was happy to hear that the foreigner, Graham, had been arrested.
“Two people and a friend were also drunk and carried beer bottles” with Graham when the incident happened, Bang Hae said.
“When paying the money, I’m not sure if his friend saw what banknote he paid,” he said.
Of note, while the video of Graham assaulting Mr Abdullah has been widely circulated, the video only shows the assault. It does not show when the banknote was handed over, a factor that would quickly resolve the issue. Regardless, Bang Hae thanked police for their quick work.
While in the caged van to be transported to Phuket Provincial Court for further detention, Graham told people outside the van that he was sorry for how events had transpired.
However, he added, “You shouldn’t steal money.”