Danish tourist mugged for kiteboard on Phuket beach

PHUKET: Police are searching for three foreign men who allegedly threatened a Danish tourist in to handing over his entire kiteboard kit at a Phuket beach.

Bjarke Carlsen, 25, reported to police that the incident occurred yesterday at Friendship Beach (map here).

“Mr Carlsen said he was robbed on the beach at about 10am, when three men wearing ski masks approached him from behind,” said Phuket Tourist Police Inspector Urumporn Koondejsumrit.

“The men stopped Mr Carlsen and threatened to beat him if he did not hand over his kiteboarding equipment,” he said.

Mr Carlsen described the three men as tall Caucasians.

“He said their accents sounded European,” Maj Urumporn said.

With his well-being threatened, Mr Carlsen handed over his entire kiteboarding kit, comprising an 11sqm Slingshot kite and bar, a 2sqm Slingshot kite and bar, Airush FS 135 kiteboard, 7sqm Airush kite, North Wam waveboard and a Prolimit harness.

However, Mr Carlsen did not include in his report the total value of the items stolen, Maj Urumporn told the Phuket Gazette.

“We contacted the Chalong Police for assistance with this case. Their officers are now questioning people in the area,” Maj Urumporn said.

“We are also checking CCTV in the area in the hope of identifying the robbers,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong