Pakistani stabbed in Patong

PATONG: A Pakistani gang member has been arrested for the October 5 stabbing in Patong of a Pakistani businessman who refused to pay a protection fee to a local racket, said Pol Maj Bundit Kaosutham.

Marmoon Igbal Butt was returning to his car after attending a party when he was confronted by Ram Nagar Raygarn, 38, said Maj Bundit.

Ram told Mr Marmoon that he was a member of a local protection racket before stabbing Mr Marmoon in the stomach four times with an eight-inch blade, added Maj Bundit.

Ram was part of a Pakistani gang operating in Patong and Kata-Karon whose demands for protection money Mr Marmoon had refused to cave in to, Mr Marmoon told police.

Mr Marmoon first reported being threatened by the gang to the Kathu Police Station on August 2. The gang became angered when they found out that Mr Marmoon had spoken to the police, said Maj Bundit.

Ram was just a henchman, not one of the gang leaders, he added.

Maj Bundit declined to give any more information about the incident, the victim or the gang involved due to concerns it may hamper the police investigation.

Pol Maj Gen Chuchat Suwanakom, Phuket Tourist Police commander, said that there are many foreign gangs operating in Phuket and that police have been monitoring them closely. “We will keep watching the gangs so that we can arrest them soon,” he added.