Baturin was apparently frustrated at not being able to find a parking space near his favourite restaurant and drove past 45-year-old Australian Mark Fuller and his family – who were walking along the roadside – almost knocking them over.
Mr Fuller protested and Baturin hit him in the face, knocking him down, before driving off.
In addition to the suspended sentence Baturin, who has lived in Phuket for six years, will also be required to do 12 hours’ community service and will have to report to a probation officer every three months.
Pol Lt Col Natchanon Kerdko, investigation officer at Karon Police Station, told The Phuket News, that after he punched Mr Fuller on April 23, he was arrested on April 24.
“Then the following day he got arrested again, for drunk driving.
“On Saturday (April 26), he appeared in court on both charges. For the drunk driving he was fined B1,000 and given a three-month jail sentence suspended for two years.”
The court made no order regarding damages for Mr Fuller. If he wants to recover medical costs, Col Natchanon said, he will have to sue in civil court.
He thought this was unlikely. He said Mr Fuller was now travelling in Chiang Mai and had expressed satisfaction with the penalties imposed on Baturin.
“He just doesn’t want to see his face again.”