British tourist, 24, arrested for 'causing public nuisance and resisting officers' in Thailand
A British tourist was arrested in Thailand for allegedly causing a public nuisance and resisting police officers in a street rampage in Thailand.
Hamish Lockhart Birnie Brown, 24, sparked alarm as he reportedly challenged passers-by to a fight while roaming shirtless through a busy street on holiday island Phuket on June 2.
The Brit, from Edinburgh, Scotland, allegedly stormed into a convenience store, climbed over fences and wandered onto private property along Soi Ta-iad, a popular Muay Thai training area.
Officers were called to the scene at around 11 am after Brown was seen blocking oncoming vehicles and behaving erratically in the street.
Cops ordered him to stop as he walked barefoot in front of shops. They ordered him to sit down, but he sprawled on the pavement instead, obstructing traffic.
Police bodycam footage shows police closing in on Brown as he repeatedly said 'I love you'.
Officers said they had to taser the burly Brit to subdue him before taking him into custody. They were seen pinning the shirtless tourist down and tying his hands and feet with rope.
Brown was hauled to the local police station on suspicion of being intoxicated, public nuisance, and resisting officers. The maximum jail term is one year for resisting an officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Chakkrapong Petchrat, deputy superintendent of Chalong district station, said Brown had already caused panic the previous day when he allegedly raided a convenience store without paying.
The officer said: 'He is a British man who came for a holiday to train in Muay Thai at a camp in Soi Ta-iad.
‘Yesterday, he caused a disturbance at a convenience store by opening food and drink items and leaving without paying. The store did not wish to file a complaint.
‘He then went to a resident's house and caused further disruption, although he was still able to communicate normally.
‘Today, he caused another incident near a convenience store in Soi Ta-iad at around 11 am.
‘He was not carrying any weapons and did not assault anyone. There were many witnesses, and his behaviour appeared more severe than the previous day.
‘Officers were forced to use a taser to bring him under control as he was nearly unmanageable. We are unsure what substances he may have taken, but there was a smell of cannabis.
‘Other substances have not yet been confirmed, as we have not been able to conduct any tests.
‘At this stage, he is still unable to communicate properly and remains in custody.'
Brown was later questioned by officers who said he faced being sent to court if a resolution could not be reached. Resisting or obstructing an officer performing lawful duties carries a maximum penalty of up to a year in prison.
Thailand decriminalised marijuana in 2022, making it the first Asian nation to do so.
However, the lack of regulations caused a surge in unregulated sales and use, especially in tourist areas like Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya.
Government officials are now seeking to outlaw recreational cannabis use by requiring medical certificates to purchase the drug.
