Iguana starts fight on Soi Crocodile, tourist stabbed

[Benny10]

PHUKET: A Syrian tourist was stabbed in Patong on Tuesday night after an argument over an iguana turned ugly. Four Thai men were later arrested and charged for the stabbing and face charges of assault and grievous bodily harm.

 

According to Patong police, four iguana handlers ganged up on Mohammed Imed Arab, 20, after he got into an argument with one of the handlers on Soi Crocodile off Bangla Road.

 

Police said the Syrian refused to have his picture taken with an iguana when he was approached by one of the handlers. The situation quickly escalated into an argument, which was exacerbated by the language barrier and aggressive body language on both sides.

 

During the altercation, three other iguana handlers went to assist their friend and the Syrian was stabbed in the right side of his torso with a pocket knife.

 

The victim escaped his assailants by running into a nearby bar, where staff called police and paramedics.

 

Mohammed was taken to Patong Hospital and released earlier today.

 

The four male iguana handlers aged between 18 and 21 years old were arrested later that night in the Patong area. The four admitted to the attack and are due to appear in court to face charges.

 

Brought by PhuketGazette, Wednesday, October 28, 2009

See the full article here.

Edited October 29, 2009 by Benny10

[joe_momma]

My first thought was to curse Iguanas - everyone knows that lizards like them cannot hold their liquor and a mean drunks besides ....

 

 

Then it turns out that it was the tout/ladyboy/lizard handler who stabbed the tourist - thank goodness the iguana was not harmed in any fashion! (Hint, iguanas that annoy their owners are called "gai" on the local food carts the following day!)

[lostagain]

Why would any self respecting iguana wants its picture taken with a farang ??

[frank-furter]

It is very crazy to injure person because of photo.

[The Mentalist]

I've seen these iguana boys in action many times in Patong.

They do become aggressive and intimidatory, trying to take your pic then charging 300 bht for it.

Best action like all things on the street you don't want is to keep walking.

[Bagwan]

Why does everybody in Thailand admit to the crime? Just a thought

[joe_momma]

Typical - an iguana gets drunk and starts a fight - people get hurt.

 

When will Thailand enforce the drinking laws to prevent drunken iguana's from accosting tourists....

 

(In truth, the touts with the monkeys/lizards are pretty aggressive when times are good - my guess is that they are under the same financial constraints as the BGs - with less opportunity to get any money - so they are really pulling out the stops now.)

[PepeLePew]

Why does everybody in Thailand admit to the crime? Just a thought

 

I noticed that, I think it's partly cultural (a bhuddist thing maybe?) and partly if you plead not guilty and get convicted your sentence is about 10 times what it would have been for a guilty plea!

[Devil Plaything]

Why does everybody in Thailand admit to the crime? Just a thought

 

They want the cops to stop hitting them?

[Benny10]

Why would any self respecting iguana wants its picture taken with a farang ??

LOL, good point mate!

[irishstu007]

Well for sure I would be avoiding those iguanas all right.

[ewoc]

Why would any self respecting iguana wants its picture taken with a farang ??

 

 

farrang ? the dude was from SYRIA no farrang there ... dirka dirka muhammad ! no wonder the iguana bucked !

[Falang Sap]

farrang ? the dude was from SYRIA no farrang there ... dirka dirka muhammad ! no wonder the iguana bucked !

 

Welcome to the board..

Didn't take you long to start spreading the hate...