An American man (51) was stabbed to death early this morning in a bar in Ao Nang (Krabi) because he refused to stop singing, police said.
The man's son (27), who sang with his father, was also attacked and seriously injured. The drama took place at the Longhorn Saloon in Ao Nang. The victim's son said they were attacked as they exited the saloon, Phuket Wan writes.
Three Thai men have been arrested for the murder, the police said. The stabbing occurred when three locals objected to the American's singing skills at about 01:00 a.m. local time. The three men are Ratikorn R. (27), Sathit S. (40) and Noppanan Y. (26) and all live in the area. They are being held at the police station in Krabi.
Violence against tourists in Krabi
Due to the umpteenth violent incident in holiday paradise Thailand, the discussion about safety for tourists flares up again. Krabi has been the scene of several violent incidents against tourists in the past 18 months. For example, a Briton was attacked with a knife out of the blue when he was walking home with his girlfriend. A German woman was injured, she lost her thumb, in another knife incident. The violent rape of a Dutch tourist in Krabi is also still fresh in the memory.
Here's another version from the Bangkok Post:
Police have arrested three pub musicians who reportedly killed an American man and severely injured his son after the two men sang with them but then refused to get off the stage at a bar in Krabi's Muang district early on Wednesday morning.
Bobby Carter, 51, was stabbed to death in the stomach while his son, Adam Carter, 27, was badly beaten up. The injured son and the father's body were taken to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
Ratikorn Romin, 27, Sathit Somsa, 40, and Nopanan Yoddecha, 26, were arrested at the bar, the Little Longhorn Saloon. Police also seized a homemade rifle from Mr Sathit, according to Pol Col Boonthavee Tohraksa, deputy superintendent of Krabi police station.
The bar advertises “jam with the band” sessions on its website. It says that musicians, including amateurs, professionals, locals and tourists, come to Little Longhorn Saloon to “jam with the band”.
A report in Thai Rath said the band members confessed that Carter and his family came to the pub, and that he and his son had joined them on stage.
The band then had an argument with the Americans, because the pair allegedly refused to stop singing when their time was up, and also knocked the group's tip box to the floor.
The musicians said they left the stage and went outside the bar. A quarrel then broke out when the American family was leaving the bar.
Mr Raticorn told police that he was knocked to the ground and could not breathe because one of the Americans was grappling with him. He spotted a metal object nearby and used it as a weapon.
The suspects added that they did not start the fight and that they had no intention to kill.
Police took the men into custody at Krabi police station.
A very different story indeed.
Why would a Thai stab someone to death because of their singing skills, or the lack thereof?
Nevertheless, there is unfortunately violence against tourists, but Thailand / Krabi is not alone in this.
Why always so much commentary and subterfuge in violent crimes. Quite simply they should have just called the police if the American family was so troublesome or misbehaving. But as often no playing your own judge. Wherever this happens doesn't matter, it just needs to be followed up and punished. And whether this is Thailand or another country is not important. But Thailand has a very bad reputation with its often incorrectly operating legislature and executive power. These are very poorly known. in various regions in Thailand. Such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Puket and the surrounding area. It is a pity and that detracts from Thailand and that is a pity. Because it is and remains a beautiful country.
Completely agree John.
Physical violence is always cross-border and intolerable to me.
On the other hand, I do think that for me as an outsider and as a lover of Thailand, the reason / cause / reason makes a (very small) difference.
I would very much like to know the correct story, a matter of maintaining my positive image of the Thai population or gradually weakening it after a few instances of aggression….
Apparently those Thai people from the land of smiles are not as calm as many claim. Perhaps the pushy behavior of the tourists is sometimes a bit too much for the Thai. When I read how the Russians are destroying the many tourist resorts, I can imagine some Thai reactions, provided, of course, that I disapprove of such violence, as anyone would. In any case, I think the influence of the Westerner, tourist or pensioner, is too prominent in Thailand, compared to foreigners in surrounding countries. Do you see how the tourists and pensioners play the rich hunk, drive up the prices for land and housing, participate and even play down corruption, because this also suits many Dutch people in Thailand (according to an earlier blog) to speed up certain things, then I can imagine that the poorer Thai sees this with sorrow. He cannot afford the higher prices and bribes, but the rich farang can. This proves that the Thai are not always as calm and subdued as many Thailand fans claim. I often find that smile, but I have already noticed a fake.
I totally agree with you. For 28 years I have been wandering Southeast Asia every winter for two months. Never had any problems. I act like a GUEST there!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is incomprehensible how WHITE people (Westerners, Australians, etc.) behave like settlers there. They always know everything better and can do everything better. Their opinion is the only correct one. At least they think so. They have money and feel powerful and the poor Thais, they think, should be only too happy that they (the whites) come here. It is also intensely sad how their culture, their norms and values are being destroyed. In their own country they are vomited because of their mentality, and they play the beast there.
It's the whites who have to drink until well past midnight, make an unimaginable noise, etc. They don't behave like guests, but like dictators. Then stay in your own country with your inferiority complex and where you are being paid out.
This message from the Bangkok Post is of a different order and self-defense is a great asset. I think stabbing to death is going too far. So this requires further investigation.