Phuket machete attack puts Burmese workers in ICU

PHUKET: Two Burmese workers on their way home from a Phuket karaoke bar were critically injured after they were attacked by knife-wielding youths yesterday.

Thalang Police received an anonymous report at 1:10am from a local resident in Srisoonthorn reporting that two heavily bleeding men were lying in an alley near the Baan Manik boxing camp on Srisoonthron Road.

Arriving at the scene with Kusoldharm Foundation workers, Thalang police found the two men, estimated to be in their early 40s, with deep slash wounds to their necks and backs.

One severe laceration was 10 inches long.

Local residents told police that the two men lived in a nearby Burmese workers camp and frequented a nearby karaoke bar after work.

As the pair were returning home, they were attacked from behind by two youths on a motorbike.

The pair ran yelling for help until they collapsed in an alley about 100 meters from the main road.

Police suspect the victims had an altercation with the youths earlier at the bar.

The two Burmese were rushed to Thalang Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to the better-equipped Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, where they both are now in intensive care.

The police say they are continuing their investigations.

— Wichai Witthawat