Frenchman Counters Complaint After Phuket Arrest

A French national arrested over a Songkran assault in Phuket has filed a counter-complaint, and Patong police say they are now investigating both sides. (thethaiger.com) The arrest came on April 21, nine days after the April 12 clash outside Marine Plaza in Patong, where 38-year-old Weerasak Madlee was allegedly attacked during New Year water-festival celebrations. His wife said he was left in critical condition after the fight. (thethaiger.com) Weerasak’s wife told a local Facebook page that her husband refused to join a water fight and objected when foreigners splashed him. The Thaiger reported that he was allegedly hit on the head with a water gun three or four times, underwent urgent surgery and spent two days in hospital. (thethaiger.com) The French suspect says Weerasak started the altercation. CCTV footage shared online appears to show the Thai man throwing the first punch before the wider brawl, according to The Thaiger. (thethaiger.com) Police said the case drew wider attention after video of the incident circulated online and criticism spread over whether officers had moved too slowly after the original complaint. Patong police said they would investigate in detail and treat both parties fairly. (thethaiger.com) The case landed in the middle of a tense Songkran week in Patong. On April 12, Patong police also arrested seven French tourists on Prachanukhro Road after officers said they blocked traffic, sprayed passers-by and refused orders to disperse; they were fined for causing a public nuisance. (nationthailand.com) A separate Patong assault case from April 13 also involved French suspects. The Phuket News reported that two French nationals were arrested on April 14 after a 29-year-old Thai man and his girlfriend said they were attacked in an alley off Phra Metta Road after signaling they did not want to join the water play. (thephuketnews.com) In the counter-complaint case, the arresting charge cited by The Thaiger was Section 295 for physical assault. Patong police have not closed the file, and the next step is the same one that reopened the case online: matching the complaints against the video evidence. (thethaiger.com)