Kathu district police responded early on Wednesday to reports that “a tourist” was attacked by four men in a room of the Millennium Resort Patong Hotel.
The victim, later identified as Mohd Sobri Bin Said, a personal bodyguard to the crown prince HRH Tunku Annuar Ibni Sultan Badlishah, the younger brother of the current Malaysian King or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, HRH Tunku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, was rushed to hospital with two wounds on his head and bruises on his body.
He told police that the attackers waited inside his room and assaulted him when he entered, hitting him on the head with hard objects.
They had prepared electric wire to tie him up, but he fought back and managed to run from the room to get help, at which point the attackers also fled, according to a report in the Daily News.
Police inspected the victim’s hotel room and found electric cable and blood. They questioned hotel staff about how outsiders were able to enter the Malaysian man’s room, and whether they might have obtained a keycard.
A review of the hotel’s CCTV showed four suspects as they entered the front lobby, and walked to the elevator. The security camera showed clear pictures of all suspects, who police believe were of Malaysian and Thai nationality. Police also reviewed security cameras in other locations which confirmed the description of the attackers.
The two men arrested were named by police as Prakong "Ed" Leesopa, 30, and Sakorn Srisopa, 29, both from Phatthalung Province. They were caught at the Sadao border point in Songkhla Province, attempting to cross to Kedah.
They are being held in Sadao Police Station, charged with robbery. The arrest warrants state that they robbed Mr Bin Said of B42,000, his passport, ID card, ATM card and iPhone.
On his personal visit to Phuket, the crown prince of Kedah and his party reserved more than 10 rooms at the hotel. Thai police were informed of the visit, and provided a motorcade for his transportation.
After the incident, the group moved to another hotel, and are returning to Kuala Lumpur today. Police say they suspect a personal conflict involving the bodyguard was the motive for the attack.
– Bangkok Post/The Phuket News