Australian tourist dies from beating in Phuket; Turkish suspect detained

Victim pronounced dead of severe head injuries, as police say incident could harm tourism image

A 58-year-old Australian tourist died after a violent assault on Patong beach in Phuket on Wednesday night, as police on Thursday arrested a 29-year-old Turkish man in connection with the assault.

The death of the Australian man, identified as Alan Roger Joliffe, was reported to police at 11pm on Wednesday after he was admitted to Patong Hospital, said Pol Lt Chanan Mekchai, investigation chief at Patong police station.

An examination found the tourist had sustained severe head injuries consistent with a violent assault.

Initial investigations showed the victim had been attacked on Prachanukhro Road in tambon Patong of Kathu district at about 5pm on Wednesday.

Bystanders rushed the victim to Patong Hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 10.23pm.

Medical staff subsequently alerted police, and the body was transferred to the forensic department at Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

According to police, the suspect, identified only as Tugay, was riding a motorcycle with Phuket licence plates and sounded his horn as he passed the victim. The honking reportedly sparked an argument. The suspect then stopped, approached the tourist and struck him once on the face with his right hand, causing him to collapse, lose consciousness and hit his head heavily on the ground.

The suspect fled the scene but was tracked down and arrested for questioning at around 4am on Thursday. He has been charged with assault causing death and was brought before the Phuket Provincial Court for detention.

Police have opposed his bail.