Police in Patong have charged a 28 year old Canadian tourist after he falsely claimed he was attacked and robbed. Instead, it appears William Lamarche-Saint-Louis started a fight with a group of Thai men after refusing to pay for a beach bed.
The incident occurred on February 10, when the man filed a police report alleging that while walking at night, he was approached by 5 men who demanded he hand over his watch, which he says cost 50,000 baht.
Afraid to resist, the tourist says he gave them the watch, but the men then wanted his bag, which contained 5,000 baht in cash. When he refused to give them the bag, he claims they attacked him before fleeing. He was subsequently treated at hospital for a broken nose.
According to a Phuket Express report, police say that after a thorough investigation, they have established the facts of the case. It’s understand that Mr Lamarche-Saint-Louis was very drunk when he sat on a beach chair without having paid for it. He was advised by the beach vendor that he needed to either pay for the chair or order a drink in order to use it.
At this point, it’s alleged the Canadian became upset and got into a verbal and physical altercation with 4 Thai men. All 5 men face charges of fighting in public and causing bodily harm. According to police, the Thai men are also being charged with not reporting the incident, regardless of who started it. The Canadian national has also been fined 4,000 baht and has been reported to Phuket Immigration.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
