Two New Zealand tourists have been detained in a Thai prison after being accused of assaulting a police officer, authorities say.
Investigations are ongoing after brothers Hamish Art Day, 36, and Oscar Matson Day, 34, allegedly attacked an officer and attempted to steal his firearm in Phuket, Thai police said in a statement.
Police officer Somsak Noo-iad had stopped the two men for reckless driving before they allegedly assaulted him as he tried to take photos and evidence.
The brothers then allegedly snatched the officer’s phone and firearm, the statement said.
A photograph released by police on Sunday local time showed a man pushing a traffic policeman to the ground while another man looked on.
Their visas will be revoked and they will be banned from entering Thailand again after the investigation concludes, the police statement added.
Thai outlet the Bangkok Post reported the two men have been charged with robbery, obstruction of police duty, physical attack against a policeman, driving without a licence and bribery.
The two men and their lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment by Reuters.
The parents of the brothers called for calm and privacy amid the incident.
“It’s very, very concerning,” father Laurence Day told the New Zealand Herald.
“The family is distraught. We’re praying for a good outcome.”
New Zealand media outlet RNZ reported a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular officials were “providing assistance to the family of two New Zealanders who have been arrested in Thailand”.
Reuters/ABC