Phuket bar destroyed in arson attack

RAWAI, PHUKET: Police are investigating an arson attack that completely destroyed the popular Roxanne Bar on Wichit Rd in Rawai early yesterday morning.

Chalong Police were notified of the blaze at 3:30am.

It took two Rawai Municipality fire engines about 30 minutes to put out the flames, but not before they destroyed the bar and everything inside.

Located near the Sapphaya Spa, the Roxanne Bar was run by a Nakhon Sri Thammarat woman named Wanida and her Danish husband.

After the bar closed Saturday night, one staff member stayed on for security.

The staff member told police that a man wearing a hood suddenly appeared, dousing furniture at the front of the bar with gasoline and quickly setting it alight before fleeing.

Police are investigating a business rivalry as a possible motive, noting that patrons of the popular bar often park their cars in front of rival establishments.

Initial estimates put the damage from the fire at 8 million baht.

Investigators from the Forensic Police Region 44 Office in Phuket Town are also taking part in the investigation.