Man, 64, attacked in Rawai

RAWAI: Briton Bill O’Hare, 64, was attacked while riding his motorbike home late on Saturday night. He was hit in the head with a piece of lumber and kicked in the ribs before his attackers took off after they were startled by a woman who witnessed the crime.

“I was riding my bike up the soi from Rawai Minimart, opposite Nikita’s, driving away from the beach. I was about 300 yards up the road when it happened,” he said.

Mr O’Hare explained that while he was riding up the dark soi, a motorbike pulled up alongside and then he was hit in the head. “Then my back tire was kicked out, and that sent me flying,” he said.

“While I was on the ground I could feel a guy going through my pockets. They took my about 2,000 baht, credit cards and my driving license,” he said.

A woman nearby who saw the robbery shouted at the robbers, who then fled the scene.

“I was taken to the Freedom Bar where they treated my grazed leg and called the police,” he said.

Mr O’Hare moved to Phuket seven months ago, but has been a regular visitor to the island for three years.

He also sustained a cut above the right eye. “My ribs are still sore,” said Mr O’Hare.

“This has happened in that soi before. About a month ago three Thai girls were robbed there,” he added.