American tourist remanded in Phuket over alleged assault of Patong jet-ski operator

An American tourist accused of assaulting a jet-ski operator in Patong has been remanded in custody in Phuket while prosecutors prepare charges, according to the investigating officer handling the case.

Pol Lt Piyanut Khunthong said the suspect, identified by police as Mr Damien Williamson, was being detained at Kwang Court as of Monday, July 13, after being transferred from Bangkok to Phuket. Lt Piyanut said prosecutors were preparing an assault case and that the suspect’s visa would also be revoked before he is deported from Thailand.

The officer said he expected the legal process to move ahead this week, but could not confirm when the visa revocation or deportation would take place.

Mr Williamson, a 24-year-old American, was arrested by Immigration Bureau officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 8 before boarding Philippine Airlines flight PR733 from Bangkok to Manila. He was transferred back to Patong Police Station on the evening of July 9 before later being remanded in custody.

The Immigration Bureau said officers identified and arrested him at the airport immigration checkpoint while he was checking in for the scheduled flight. Patong Police had earlier said he was attempting to flee Thailand after the alleged assault, but the Immigration Bureau’s account said only that officers acted after learning he was booked on a flight to Manila.

The case stems from an incident on Patong Beach on July 7 after Mr Williamson rented a jet-ski that was allegedly involved in a collision with another rented jet-ski. Jet-ski operator Nattawut Decheiam alleged that he asked the tourist to pay for damage to both watercraft before the American walked away.

According to Mr Nattawut, he followed the tourist along the beach and toward Bangla Rd, where an argument escalated in Soi Sea Dragon. He alleged that the tourist threw him to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the face, causing bruising, facial swelling and a fractured cheekbone. Police said the victim did not retaliate, later sought medical treatment and then filed a complaint.

Video recorded by Mr Nattawut before the alleged assault shows him following the tourist and repeatedly demanding payment. In the recording, the tourist denies crashing the jet-ski and says he had already paid B3,500 for the rental. The video ends before any physical confrontation.

Police have said they do not have photographs confirming fresh damage to either jet-ski. Investigators said their understanding of the alleged damage is based on statements from local witnesses, other jet-ski operators and people present at the beach.

Lt Piyanut said both parties had been given the opportunity to explain what happened, but that Mr Williamson declined to make a statement or offer compensation. At last report, the only criminal charge being pursued was assault causing injury, and police had not publicly released any statement from Mr Williamson about the incident.