Forensics to probe suspected Patong jet-ski ‘arson attack’

PHUKET: Police yesterday called in forensic experts to investigate a fire that gutted a house and destroyed five jet-skis in Patong earlier that morning.

At the scene, a burnt-down wooden house on Phang Muang Sai Kor Road, they discovered tyres had been placed near where the jet-skis were housed.

Suspecting arson, they requested forensic assistance.

Lt Col Kittisak Nuphueng, Inspector of the Phuket Office of Forensic Science, at 2pm led a team to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.

In estimating the damage caused by the blaze, police said that the cost of the jet-skis alone was about four million baht.

Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Akanit Danpitaksard told the press, “A dispute has been going on for many years between the owners of the land and the house residents.

“A businessman from Bangkok owns more than 10 rai of land in the area, including the plot the house was built on. He wants to clear the land to build new commercial buildings,” Lt Col Akanit said.

He went to explain that the tenants had refused to move.

“I believe this might be a case of arson. We are now investigating this as a serious offense. I will find and prosecute the person who started the fire and the person who organized it,” he said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong