A New Zealand man was stabbed in the back by a Thai man while walking on Phuket’s Kata Beach on Monday night. He is in the hospital in stable condition.
According to witnesses, Christopher Smith, 52, was walking on the beach when a Thai man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back with a knife.
Police said the man, who allegedly stabbed Smith, was identified as Kittichai Julkaew, a 29-year-old from Nakhon Sri Thammarat who rents surfboards at Kata Beach. He allegedly sped away from the scene on a motorbike.
“Witnesses said that the men had altercations many times because Smith’s wife and Kittichai have surfboard rental businesses in the same area,” said Lt. Weerayuth Thansirisukworakul
Karon Police were notified of the stabbing at 6pm.
“When we arrived, we found traces of blood on the sand,” Lt. Weerayuth said.
“Apparently, Smith lost a significant amount of blood from the stabbing. We were told that a good Samaritan had already taken the victim to the Accident and Emergency Center in Chalong.
Smith was later transferred to Phuket International Hospital, where he is now recovering from his injury.
Police will track down Kittichai from CCTV footage in order to bring him for questioning.
Story: The Phuket News
