A still from video posted to Facebook 17 March 2024 showing two New Zealand men, identified as brothers Oscar Mattson Day and Hamish Day (inset), both from Hamilton struggling with a Thai police officer in Phuket, Thailand.
A still from video posted to Facebook 17 March 2024 showing two New Zealand men, identified as brothers Oscar Mattson Day and Hamish Day (inset), both from Hamilton struggling with a Thai police officer in Phuket, Thailand.
Two New Zealanders have reportedly been arrested in Phuket, Thailand, after they allegedly attacked a local police officer and tried to snatch his gun when they were pulled over for speeding.
Local media report that Hamish Day, 36, and Oscar Day, 38, were pulled over in Chalong in the south of Phuket on Saturday afternoon local time after they had been speeding through a community zone and had failed to stick to the left side of the road.
Somsak Noo-iad, a local lieutenant, who pulled the Days over, said the pair initially sped away after being signalled to stop.
After Somsak eventually caught up with them, the Kiwis objected to him filming the pair and grabbed his phone and assaulted him. During the fracas, one of them grabbed his gun, which went off.
Two New Zealanders are accused of attacking a local police officer after being pulled over in Thailand, taking his gun and causing a shot to go off. Photo / Thapapong Trs
In video captured of the altercation, a woman can be heard shouting at the men: “You stop, you stop. He have gun. You stop.”
A voice with a New Zealand accent can be heard saying: “The policeman was trying to attack us.”
The video shows Hamish Day standing at the roadside watching as his brother Oscar Day tussles on the ground with the Thai police officer.
”He’s trying to kill him,” a voice can be heard shouting, although it is unclear who it is directed at.
The video - broadcast on Thai television - places a red ring around an object Oscar Day and the police officer appear to be wrestling over. Thai police have said the officer’s pistol was taken during the incident and discharged.
As Oscar Day attempts to separate himself from the officer, Hamish Day can be seen moving closer with a mobile phone pointed at the men on the ground as if trying to video the pair.
Then in another frame, Hamish Day can be seen approaching the pair on the ground holding an automatic pistol.
In another part of the video, the Day brothers can be seen standing at the roadside next to two motorcycles facing the police officer as reinforcements arrive.
Photos shared online appear to show the pair holding the officer in a chokehold.
They have both been charged with robbery, obstruction of police duty, physically attacking a police officer, driving without a licence and bribery.
Photos shared online show the pair holding the officer in a chokehold. Photo / Thapapong Trs
Thai media reported Chalong station chief Ekarat Plaiduang said both men attempted to bribe the police officer but he turned it down.
An Mfat spokesperson said consular officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are responding to the reported arrest of two New Zealanders in Thailand.
