Phuket Tuk-Tuk Drivers Accused of Bashing Aussie Tourist

PHUKET: The Commander of Phuket's police is investigating claims that a gang of tuk-tuk drivers in Patong beat up an Australian tourist.

The violence came on August 1 - at 2am on the first day of the new ''Patong Safety Zone'' project.

Although the tuk-tuk drivers say that Peter Hulands, 45, started the fight, it is Mr Hulands who will probably require plastic surgery on a depressed fracture of the cheek.

Tuk-tuk drivers in Patong have a reputation for ignoring requests that they call police officers to settle disputes and usually resort to gang attacks.

Police at Kathu station in Patong have yet to find the driver who allegedly punched Mr Hulands in a dispute over derogatory remarks allegedly made by the driver to Mr Hulands' girlfriend as the pair sought a ride back to their resort early on Wednesday morning.

Phuket Police Commander Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun has been told about the controversial beating and is aware of the sensitive state of the tourism industry and ongoing violence.

''We have to determine the rights and wrongs of each case on the evidence available,'' he told Phuketwan. ''At this stage the investigation is still underway.''

He said one group of police were looking for possible security camera footage. A second group was asking people at all hospitals to see where Mr Hulands was treated. A third team is seeking the tuk-tuk drivers.

It is believed the tuk-tuk driver was waiting at the top of Soi Bangla, outside Rock City, when Mr Hulands and his girlfriend sought a ride back to their resort.

After the driver made a remark, it's alleged that Mr Hulands grabbed the driver around the throat and swore at him, and was punched in response. Mr Hulands left the scene but later returned and tried to retaliate, police have been told.

At that point he was set upon by several tuk-tuk drivers.

Security camera footage may be problematic because only 14 cameras of the 31 in the central Patong entertainment area are operating.

Meetings have been taking place talking of ways of making Patong safer with a network of cameras and a heightened police presence, but in practical terms the upgrade has yet to be implemented.

Police say they believe Mr Hulands has been involved in an altercation on Phuket on a previous visit.

Mr Hulands alerted a Phuket newspaper to his latest predicament and provided a photograph of his damaged face.