A Chinese woman and a “farang” man got into a dispute at a Phuket shopping centre, with each claiming to have been assaulted by the other.
The incident took place at the Central Floresta Shopping Centre on Monday, August 19, with the Chinese woman filing a police complaint yesterday, August 21.
In her complaint, the woman, identified only as Ms Yoyo, says she was shopping with her mother (identified only as Ms W) and her children when her mother accidentally bumped into a foreign man (with a British or South African accent) who was with his Thai wife. The incident happened at an exit door in front of the Hermès store, just after 2pm.
According to Ms Yoyo, her mother immediately performed a “wai” to apologise to the man. However, he allegedly responded with “vulgar language”, prompting Ms Yoyo to challenge him, asking him what he had said. She says the man then approached her and kicked her, knocking her to the ground.
Her mother then helped her up, but the expat’s Thai wife allegedly approached and pushed her again. Ms Yoyo says she then called her Thai husband to tell him she was being assaulted and to call the police.
VIDEO: YouTube/THAIRATH TV Originals
The foreign man and his wife started to leave but Ms Yoyo followed them, demanding they stay until the police arrived. She says she grabbed hold of the man, which led to a struggle in which she Ms Yoyo was injured. The British man and his wife then left the mall and got in a taxi, which headed along Wichit Songkhram Road in the direction of Kathu.
The Chinese woman managed to record the taxi’s licence plate number, which she has given to police. She then travelled to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a medical check and then filed her complaint at the Wichit Police Station.
A video of the altercation was shared on social media and has generated a slew of comments from Thai netizens who say more expats are fighting with each other and each side refuses to back down.
Authorities met with the lawyers of both parties yesterday evening. The outcome of that meeting has not been reported.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
