Mr Smith, 52, was stabbed in the back while walking on Kata Beach on Monday evening (June 20).
Witnesses told police they saw 29-year-old Kittichai Julkaew, who rented out surfboards at the beach, approach Mr Smith from behind and stab him in the back with a knife, before running off and fleeing on a motorbike. (See story here.)
“Kittichai surrendered himself at Karon Police Station yesterday morning (June 23),” said Lt Weerayuth Thansirisukworakul of the Karon Police.
“He has been charged with attempted murder and carrying a weapon in a public place. For now, I am collecting extra evidence to be used in the case against him in court.
The stabbing was the result of an ongoing feud between Kittichai and Mr Smith, who has been living in Thailand for many years, Lt Weerayuth said.
On Monday, Lt Weerayuth said that witnesses reported that both men had altercations many times because Mr Smith’s wife and Kittichai have surfboard rental businesses in the same area.