Thailand plans to blacklist two tourists from New Zealand following an incident where they allegedly attacked a traffic officer in Phuket.
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn announced on Monday that instructions were given to Phuket’s immigration police head to issue a ban on Oscar Day, 36, and Hamish Day, 34, after their trial concludes.
They will be permanently barred from reentering Thailand, according to his statement on Facebook.
The Day brothers arrived in Thailand on March 11 and had authorization to stay until April 9. New Zealanders are allowed a 30-day visa-free visit to Thailand.
They face several charges, including robbery, hindering police work, assaulting a police officer, unlicensed driving, and attempting to bribe an officer.
The charges stem from an incident where Oscar and Hamish Day assaulted Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somsak Noo-iad from Chalong Station in Muang district last Saturday.
They were signaled to stop for speeding in a community zone and for not keeping to the left lane but chose to flee instead. When the officer managed to catch up, they physically attacked him and forced him to the ground.
The police plan to request the Phuket Provincial Court on Monday to extend the detention of the New Zealand nationals as the investigation continues.
The request for bail by their attorneys will be contested by the police, citing the risk of their escaping due to their lack of a permanent residence in Thailand.
Their parents, who are wealthy business and property magnates named Laurence and Katrina Day, were mentioned in the New Zealand Herald.
“It’s very, very concerning,” said the father in a statement to The Herald. “The family is distraught. We’re praying for a good outcome.
