New Zealand Tourists Assault Phuket Policeman & Snatch His Gun After Violating Traffic Rules, Get Arrested

A shocking incident took place in Phuket, Thailand on Saturday (16 March) involving 2 foreign tourists and a local policeman.

In the incident, videos and photos of which have been circulating online, a Thai traffic policeman was attacked by 2 New Zealand nationals in Tambon Chalong at the island’s Muang district and snatched his pistol which went off during the scuffle.

The foreigners refused to stop their motorcycles and the policeman gave chase

As reported by Bangkok Post, the traffic policeman is identified as Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak Noo-iad, while the suspects are 34-year-old Hamish Day and 36-year-old Oscar Day from New Zealand.

The incident took place on Chaofa (East) Road in Phuket’s Tambon Chalong subdistrict, whereby the 2 foreign tourists were riding motorcycles at fast speed in a community zone and failed to stay in the left lane.

The police signalled for the foreigners to stop but they sped up instead, leading Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak to chase after them.

After the suspects finally stopped their motorcycles, they shouted at the traffic policeman, who was using his mobile phone to record the 2 suspects.

The 2 foreigners then forcefully stopped Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak from recording and assaulted him and allegedly tried to snatch his pistol. 

During the altercation, the pistol accidentally went off, but thankfully, the bullet didn’t hit anybody.  

In the video circulating online recorded by a bystander, one of the 2 suspects can be seen pinning down Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak to the ground while the other suspect was holding the policeman’s pistol.

The latter can be heard claiming that the policeman was trying to kill them.

You can watch the video, as shared by the ศูนย์ข้อมูลภูเก็ต Phuket Info Center Facebook page here:

The 2 New Zealand national were arrested and slapped with various serious charges 

Immediately after the incident in the video above, other police officers from the Chalong Police Station rushed to the scene and arrested both suspects.

They were both charged for committing various serious offences, including robbery, obstruction of the duty of a police officer, physical assault against a policeman, driving without a licence and bribery. 

As for Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak, he was injured in his fingers and arms and was treated at a nearby hospital before being discharged.

The Thai Police has announced that they would be honouring and rewarding the police officer for his work.

So, what do you guys think of the incident? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Also read: S’porean Man Allegedly Throws Banknotes at Thai Police Officer & Assaults Him After Getting Traffic Fine