The parents of two New Zealand brothers, arrested in Phuket following a weekend incident with a police officer, have expressed their “anguish” as the siblings face their first court appearance.
Brothers Hamish and Oscar Day, aged 36 and 38, were taking a holiday together in Phuket when they got into an altercation with a police officer. Officer Somsak accused them of “speeding and not staying close to the side of the road”.
The initial incident happened near the front of the Chalong police station in Chao Fah Road East.
The parents, Laurence and Katrina Day, wealthy business owners, described as “millionaires’ in some NZ media, have appealed for calm and privacy following the incident which gained widespread attention after videos surfaced, including on Thai television and social media.
Laurence Day told the NZ Herald…
“The family is distraught. We’re praying for a good outcome.”
He told the NZ Herald that both men have young families back in New Zealand who are deeply worried about them, and communication has been minimal since the incident.
The brothers will appear in Phuket Provincial Court today, facing charges including robbery, obstruction of police duty, physical attack against an officer, driving without a proper license, and bribery.
According to Thai media reports, the confrontation erupted when Police Lt Somsak Noo-iad flagged the Day brothers to pull over while they were riding motorcycles in the Chalong district along Chao Fah Road East. The situation escalated with shouting and physical altercations, leading to the firing of a shot from the officer’s pistol.
Read more about the actual incident HERE.
Videos of the incident captured chaotic scenes, with voices heard shouting warnings and claims of self-defense by the two brothers. The footage also showed one of the brothers allegedly holding the officer’s pistol – an aspect of the incident highlighted in Thai media.
Laurence Day says his sons had been in Thailand for about a week and had planned to return to New Zealand in 10 days. He admitted having limited information beyond what has been reported in the media and confirmed they have legal representation in Thailand.
Hamish Day, who was previously the CEO of an education business, had recently left his position, according to his successor, Matt Comb, who expressed shock at the news and praised Day’s leadership skills.
“The last I heard from Hamish was about his plans to travel to Asia.”
The incident has stirred concern both in New Zealand and abroad, highlighting the complexities of international legal matters and potential cultural misunderstandings faced by travellers.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE : NZ Herald
