Police on Koh Pha Ngan have rescued a distressed Italian man after he was deliberately locked inside a visa service office following a row with a staff member.
It’s understood the man, named only as 34 year old Mr Pietro, had visited the office to ask about getting a refund on work permit and visa services he had paid for. A disagreement then took place between the man and a Burmese worker, named only as 25 year old Ms Su.
Mr Pietro told police that Su had then locked the front door, imprisoning him in the office.
Koh Pha Ngan Police then received a distress call from a foreign man, telling them he was being held inside a visa company against his will. Police and officers from Surat Thani Immigration arrived on the scene to find the door locked and the Italian man inside, signalling to the officers for help.
When police asked staff inside the office to let them in, another worker, named only as Ms Nanthicha, did so. Inside, officers found a tearful Mr Pietro, who expressed his relief at being rescued.
When questioned by police, Ms Su told officers that the Italian had started filming their argument, so she had done the same, while trying to contact the company lawyer and police.
It’s understood Ms Su has been arrested and taken to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station, where she will be charged with unlawful detention and working illegally.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
