Police: online clip of attack on Russian tarnishes Phuket's image

[GeorgeO]

Is pointing a fake piece at someone against the law here?

Pointing a fake piece at someone is illegal anywhere in the world ... any why wouldn't it be?

[darren84310]

In what country would you get by with taking another man's wife on an 'excursion' and not expect trouble?

You obviously didn't read the original story.... whether he's telling the truth is debatable, or she was lying to him is also debatable.

The story here though, is how laughable. (except they're serious), that the police can try and turn it into a case about the video being released.

[shaurene]

Investigate those who posted the video??

Typical Thailand.

the police officers comments just show how highly educated and trained the Thai police are. More concern about the damage the clip will do to Puket, nothing would make the reputation for Puket any worst than it is. Discusting they should have this Thai guy in chains by now and smack him around.

[stickylies]

the russian have joined the YT comments ;-)

[toenail]

I find the video clip a fake- the Russian guy "just happened to have a camera ready for filming" (if you know a jealous husband is coming, why not get the #ell out?); next the Russian casually opens the door ...(if I was expecting the husband I would not open it but have a conversation through the door..); next, the young man just sits there saying nothing... then when the Thai man finally leaves the Russian just casually walks up and shuts the door, doesn't even lock it. Not enough emotion from the Russian- I say the clip is a fake.

[CrisRMenumate]

To state the obvious, the reaction of "authorities" to anything the least bit silly, is .. well... usually silly - as in childish. This is a minor case that is yet another mole hill turned into a mountain by those "authorities". I can't wait to here what the Pink Cadillac driver has to say.

[blabla1]

I find the video clip a fake- the Russian guy "just happened to have a camera ready for filming" (if you know a jealous husband is coming, why not get the #ell out?); next the Russian casually opens the door ...(if I was expecting the husband I would not open it but have a conversation through the door..); next, the young man just sits there saying nothing... then when the Thai man finally leaves the Russian just casually walks up and shuts the door, doesn't even lock it. Not enough emotion from the Russian- I say the clip is a fake.

Slaps in the face and ear aren't fake,that would have hurt, if it was fake,the slaps would never touch the ear, secondly,he knew he was coming and decided to film and shame the idiot, instead of hiding and getting hurt later outside his home, the slaps are real, even if the rest is fake.

[andreandre]

In what country would you get by with taking another man's wife on an 'excursion' and not expect trouble?

You obviously didn't read the original story.... whether he's telling the truth is debatable, or she was lying to him is also debatable.

The story here though, is how laughable. (except they're serious), that the police can try and turn it into a case about the video being released.

Similar response last year when the lady was raped in Krabi and her father released a video on you tube about it [bad for the LOS image]

[monkeycountry]

Is 'causing a Thai national to lose face' a criminal charge now?

Causing Thai nationals to lose face is a criminal charge. It's called "damaging the image of Thailand." just as the police stated in the article.

When you here police making comments like these, it's a good reminder of protections we live under in most western countries when compared to many developing counties.

Is pointing a fake piece at someone against the law here?

Yes, if your intent is to make the person you are pointing it at think it is real. Same as in most countries.

Not sure I agree, I know of one case where the police would not follow up on a case of threatening behaviour with a sword as it was only a threat, only if there had been an attack and harm would a crime have been committed...

Using lack of police action to determine what is legal and what is not legal does not make much sense in Thailand does it?

[sirchai]

Police Major General Chot Chawanwiwat, commissioner of Phuket Provincial Police, noted that the video clip of the attack were hurting the tourism image of the province, and the police will investigate whether the person who released the clip had such an ill intention.

Insanity at its best! So many get killed, ripped off by various locals etc....Fake, or real gun, they should investigate the guy who'd done it. Full stop.-

[surfinglife]

A RUSSIAN editor of an ENGLISH language newspaper??? I've never read the subject paper but it must be hillarious considering the Russians' English skills......

[Espinete]

Reputation of Phuket......damaged? All I hear and read it is THE place to stay away if you want quality time in Thailand.

[sprq]

Will there ever be a day when Thais react to the exposure -- particularly internationally -- of a mistake or a crime by condemning the person at fault rather than the person who exposes it? Sadly not, I fear, because the saving of face is the top priority of a Thai, and that cultural trait is unlikely ever to disappear.

[monkeycountry]

Is 'causing a Thai national to lose face' a criminal charge now?

Causing Thai nationals to lose face is a criminal charge. It's called "damaging the image of Thailand." just as the police stated in the article.

No, it's not a criminal offense, where did you get that idea from?

I would love to see the meeting of ambassadors discuss the police chief's ridiculous stance on this - negating assault with a deadly weapon (even if it was a fake as the victim didn't know this)

At least the Thai man was smart enough to bring a replica gun and not a written note saying "I have a gun" like the bank robbery guy. Obviously the police are much more interested in notes than in weapons!

[eezergood]

Cant wait to see what charges are laid!

[newermonkey]

So now the police are going after the good samaritan who posted the clip up on Youtube. Typical thai attitude. No... You police go after the moron who committed the crime not the good people who try to expose bad.

I might start to film the police doing their bad shit and start posting, if they don't change their ways. Ive got nothing to loose, getting old and grumpy.

Gees...

[monkeycountry]

I wonder what is more damaging to the reputation of Phuket. The video on youtube, or the police chief saying that he is much more interested in catching the guy who posted the video than he is in prosecuting the criminal in the video?

[newermonkey]

If you (knowingly) mess with a married woman you deserve to get hurt in my opinion.

I believe that's also the opinion of the police, so why would they take action against a Thai man if was really the victim in the broader story.

People step out of line and get slapped every day, it's only that fact that this is on video that makes it different.

The woman told the Russian man that she was single and living with her BROTHER, numb scull

[stockholm1995]

wonder if there is market for shirt that say " been to phuket and all i got is a headache , STD . empty wallet , and a rash "

[BlackArtemis]

Maybe this is what Thailand needs, Dashcams EVERYWHERE and constant uploading.

Russia is the land of dash cams, we should take note and when something happens, upload it and let it go viral.

[apetley]

If you (knowingly) mess with a married woman you deserve to get hurt in my opinion.

I believe that's also the opinion of the police, so why would they take action against a Thai man if was really the victim in the broader story.

People step out of line and get slapped every day, it's only that fact that this is on video that makes it different.

It states he was unaware she was married.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited June 21, 2013 by apetley

[chooka]

"Commander of the police in Phuket province criticized the Russian man who made public the video of himself being slapped and threatened with a gun by a Thai man, saying the video has ′caused damage′ to the image of Thailand".

"noted that the video clip of the attack were hurting the tourism image of the province, and the police will investigate whether the person who released the clip had such an ill intention".

Hang on who is the Victim here, Phuket/Thailand or the Russian?

Wouldn't it be better to arrest and charge the copper thus showing the world that Thailand does not condone this sort of action by it's police. Going after the victim is only showing the world where their priorities really are. The investigation of the victim for collecting evidence against the corrupt and out of control police is showing Thailand is a far worse light. Don't these people actually even stop and think for one moment before they act?

[Espinete]

I remember a Dutch swimmer found couple of months ago on the Phuket coast dead with a huge injury in his neck.......only note from the police the man had a waterproof bag with some Alprazolams in it and most probably hit by a boat propeller. End of the story. If a police superintendent gets annoyed and has time to express his feelings about this video, perhaps a training in time-management and priority setting is something over there......?

[Soupdragon]

So if the Russian pulled a real gun and shot the Thai, what would the charges be ??

1. Self defense.

2. Murder

3. Doing the world a favour

[steelepulse]

Guaranteed if this video was not made, the police would have done nothing.

[KravMaga]

What a load of cobblers. The Russian says he was dating a woman who he didn't know was seeing somebody else (being married is "seeing somebody else"?). When he saw the man coming to his room he set the camera up to record the confrontation. If he didn't know the Thai slapper was "seeing somebody else" how did he know who it was coming to his room? This such a staged thing.. He then passes the video over to his friend instead of taking it to the police? If the Thai guy was serious about it all he wouldn't be giving the Russian girly slaps, I promise you. Utter nonsense.

[wealth]

you know, you know, you know ... does that sound familiar from a 'beloved' one? Seem to have the same voice and pitch.

[chooka]

Is pointing a fake piece at someone against the law here?

Pointing a fake piece at someone is illegal anywhere in the world ... any why wouldn't it be?

correct, The victim would never know if it was fake or not when 1st shoved in his face by a violent intruder. Excuse me, before I <deleted> my pants, is that a real gun or a fake gun you are waving at me?

[jaapfries]

In what country would you get by with taking another man's wife on an 'excursion' and not expect trouble?

Unless it was my ex-wife . . . . . .

[wealth]

What a load of cobblers. The Russian says he was dating a woman who he didn't know was seeing somebody else (being married is "seeing somebody else"?). When he saw the man coming to his room he set the camera up to record the confrontation. If he didn't know the Thai slapper was "seeing somebody else" how did he know who it was coming to his room? This such a staged thing.. He then passes the video over to his friend instead of taking it to the police? If the Thai guy was serious about it all he wouldn't be giving the Russian girly slaps, I promise you. Utter nonsense.

since the cow didn't give milk the brother turned into husband. Standard with a few exceptions.