Karon tuk-tuk driver gets bail

CHALONG, PHUKET: The Karon tuk-tuk driver accused of attacking a family of French tourists with a metal pole on December 26 turned himself in to police and was released on bail, the Gazette has learned.

Chalong Police Inspector Chana Suthimas identified the alleged attacker as 32-year-old Likhit Thaengthae, a resident of Karon.

Mr Likhit appeared at Chalong Police Station at 10am yesterday and posted bail. Assault charges against him will be filed with the Phuket Criminal Court soon, Lt Chana said.

Mr Likhit stands accused of attacking a French family with the metal shaft of a beach umbrella support pole, breaking one of the victim’s arms and badly bruising another relative, age 68.

The family’s children – aged one, seven and nine – were present at the time of the attack.

Witnesses said Mr Likhit became enraged when the family parked their rented car in a public parking lot near the Karon Municipality offices in Kata.

The French family, on their way to the beach at the time, ignored his command to park elsewhere because there were no signs indicating the lot was reserved for tuk-tuks, as Mr Likhit insisted it was.

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— Pimwara Choksakulpan