PHUKET – A bar bouncer has been arrested for allegedly stabbing to death a French tourist and wounding his Moroccan friend following a brawl at a Patong beach pub early Wednesday.
Somporn Kukkaew, 33, was taken into custody today after the body of 24-year-old Akim Boukstbbouma was found with two stab wounds to the chest on Soi Saen Sabai in tambon Patong of Kathu district, said Pol Lt Sineenart Cherdchutrakulthong of Kathu police station who was reported at 4.12am today.
The victim's friend, Said Missoury, 23, of Morocco, sustained a knife wound in the attack.
According to the official police report, the two foreigners were walking down the street toward Orchid Resortel Hotel when a motorcycle ridden by Mr Somporn hit them, sparking a quarrel that turned violent.
However, Manager Online, quoting witnesses, said the fight actually began inside a nearby pub, with one of three security guards trying to toss the pair out pulling a 20cm knife and stabbing Boukstbbouma, a French national of Moroccan descent. He also was slashed in the arm.
The brawl continued into the street after Mr Missoury ran off, then returned when he heard Boukstbbouma screaming. He later died in hospital while Somporn, who suffered a knife wound to his wrists, and the other bounces fleeing the scene.
The injured bouncer sought treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital , where he was then arrested. Police were examining footage of closed-circuit television cameras to sort out the details before filing charges.