Japanese tourist stabbed four times

PHUKET TOWN: A Japanese tourist who wanted to call his family – to tell them he had arrived safely in Phuket – was robbed and stabbed four times just after midnight yesterday, on his way to make the call. Pol Maj Adul Nirapai of Phuket Town Police Station said that Terai Osamu, 27, came to Phuket with friends and was staying at the Royal Paradise Hotel in Patong. On Saturday night, Mr Terai decided to call his family in Japan. In front of the hotel, he met motorbike taxi driver Sommai Tatubtim, 23, and asked to be taken to the nearest overseas phone service. Sommai told him that he would take him by motorbike to the Communications Authority of Thailand offices in Phuket Town. However, once they get to Soi Panieng, the road in Sam Kong leading to the Butterfly Garden, Sommai stopped the bike, held Mr Terai at knifepoint, and demanded money. Mr Terai gave him about 20,000 baht, 15,000 Yen, and two credit cards. Afterwards, Pol Maj Adul said, Sommai tried to kill Mr Terai, but the tourist fought back. He was stabbed twice in the stomach and once in each hand before he managed to escape. Mr Terai was helped by people living in the area and was taken to the nearby Bangkok Phuket Hospital. After being identified from a description given by Mr Terai, Sommai was arrested yesterday afternoon. He told the police that he needed the money to buy a new motorcycle because the bike that he was using was rented. He said that he had already spent about 13,000 baht of the stolen money. Mr Terai is still in hospital but is listed in stable condition. Sommai is in custody at the Phuket Town Police Station, charged with robbery and attempted murder.