KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – A suspected jealousy attack in a hotel room on Koh Samui left a French man and a Thai woman injured and a British tourist in police custody.
Alleged attack in hotel room
Around midday on 19 November, officers at Bo Phut police station received an emergency call reporting a physical altercation at a nearby hotel. At the scene, police found two injured guests: 23-year-old French national Mathis and 21-year-old Thai woman Kanokwan from Nakhon Ratchasima. Both were taken immediately to hospital, where the French man was treated for facial injuries while the Thai woman was reported to be seriously hurt.
British suspect admits jealous assault
Police arrested the alleged attacker at the hotel, identifying him as 44-year-old British national Richard. During questioning, he admitted to the assault after reportedly finding his Thai girlfriend in the room with the younger man.
“He admitted that he attacked the Frenchman immediately out of jealousy,”
said the police, adding that Richard had discovered Kanokwan together with the French guest in the hotel room.
Dispute over cause of woman’s serious injuries
The British suspect denied injuring his girlfriend and instead blamed her for her own condition.
“Kanokwan injured herself,”
said Richard, according to investigators. He further claimed that the Thai woman had a history of self-harm, an allegation now under official review while police await detailed medical reports from hospital doctors.
Thai legal penalties for assault
Under Thai law, a conviction for simple bodily harm can bring up to one month in prison or a fine of 10,000 Baht (about 250 euros). If prosecutors determine that the incident caused serious bodily injury, the possible prison term ranges from six months to ten years. In such a case, the fine can reach up to 200,000 Baht (about 5,000 euros), with the public prosecutor to decide the exact charges.
Ongoing investigation and next steps
Investigators have formally recorded the suspect’s statements and are waiting for the Thai woman’s condition to improve so they can take her testimony. Only then, police said, will they be able to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident in the hotel. Until the inquiry is complete, the British man remains in police custody, in a case that highlights how relationship disputes among foreign tourists in Thailand can escalate with severe consequences.