Phuket Mob Violently Bounces Aussies From Kangaroo Bar

[cpofc]

Australia has a HUGE problem with alcohol fuelled violence, nationwide. They don't need an excuse to kick the crap out of you, or even kill you. They do it for fun. It has reached epidemic proportions and is a cause of great concern for police, courts, paramedics, and hospital emergency centres. Its happening on a daily basis. Trust me I am not overstating the problem.

These two 'heroes' are in no way unique. In Australia today, if you get a group of people together where alcohol is being consumed, whether it be a large public gathering or a small backyard BBQ, chances are you will witness, or be a part of, drunken violence.

There is no one single reason why I choose to live in Thailand, there are many. But this is certainly one of them, as I often tell the Thais when they ask why I live here. I don't frequent any of the tourist areas of Thailand, haven't done so for many years now. Just the occasional trip to Nana a couple of times per year maybe to meet up with a mate who is passing through the capital, but that's it. In fact I don't have any 'white' friends here at all anymore. I live in an all Thai environment and I prefer it that way.

Having been an Asian Traveller/resident for over 40 years I have always tried to be a good ambassador for my country. I consider myself very fortunate that I am not a 'nasty drunk'. Australia has been down this track before when in the 70s we wrested the title from the 'Ugly American' to become the Ugly Australian 'Ocker'. Although today's version seems a lot worse, and we changed their title to 'Bogan'.

The Kangaroo Bar was one of the very first Bars in Bangla, Patong. I had my first beer there in 1983. When Phuket was really a paradise. I wouldn't go within cooee of the place today.

Don't judge us all so harshly, there are still some good ones left. We do exist.

[chrisinth]

I don't believe this story. Some things don't add up.

ALL MOB BEATINGS that I have witnessed in Thailand are Thais, who join in punching, kicking, and stomping after the fact, with no sense of hesitation.

The fact that XXX Disco is brought up makes me wonder if they were in, and kicked out.

I would not be surprised if the two were drunk and argumentative. That wouldn't be enough to warrant a beating that leads to a broken leg.

Don't expect them to even hint at the truth until they are back in Oz. Until then I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. The Bangla area is prone to mob beatings because of the high number of Thai men in the area, bouncers, tuk tuk, motorcycles, etc.

Sorry misterme, but it does happen throughout Thailand and is not always Thais that get involved. I do note the "that I have witnessed" part of your post.

Quick story. Sleepy Phitsanulok, central Thailand. Friday night and a Falang turns up at the bar. He produces firstly a gun (revolver) and then produces a machete that he had hidden under his trouser leg. This is about an altercation (unfounded) with another local weeks before. So we have the situation where an idiot is waving about a big knife and a gun around the outside bar of our pub, anger directed at me.

One of the locals (expat) reacted first, picked up a barstool and dropped the guy. Without going into further details with police and ambulance, incident over. But the point of the post is what happens afterwards because of the actions of an idiot.

1. Area reputation (in the case of the OP, this is N/A as the reputation of Patong precedes itself)

2. Establishment reputation. I do not know the Kangaroo bar, but I'm sure the owner will not be happy with the publicity.

3. After incident guilt. Flipping back to the Phitsanulok story, the ex-pat who defused the situation with the barstool suffered greatly for weeks after the incident because this violence was not natural to him.

So, what I am trying to say is that the incidents caused by these drunken fools (any nationality) doesn't stop with the handcuffs being put on, the damage, through their actions, continues.

Sorry for the slight hi-jack, back to topic.

[harrycallahan]

IMO this is a one sided article and I can't see how you can know with much certainty they deserved the beating.

Drunk holiday makers on Bangla Rd - which aren't?

Used ashtray as weapon - Why? What was the lead up? I don't know. Do you know?

Bar girl slapped. Why? Just slapped a random girl? Of course not. What did she do and why isn't that reported?

Did the journalist ask for their side?

If I was placing bets I'd side against them but I'm far from knowing.

[gamini]

I believe that there are more Australians in Jail per capita than any other western country. I guess it is not surprising since Australia has the 2nd highest juvenile crime rate in the western world.

[F4UCorsair]

Some of the most ridiculous, boorish and aggressive behavior I've ever seen in Thailand has all been Australians. I don't know what's going on "down under" but it seems to be a nation pre-disposed to produce scumbags.

I'll tell you what's going on downunder jake. Cheap travel is what it is. if you book a few months ahead, in the low season (low season for low lifes....makes sense!!) you can do Melbourne/Sydney to Bangkok/ Phuket return, for well under $500.00. These yobbos couldn't afford any more, so places like Phuket are stuck with them. They copped what they deserved, and all the understand, a good thrashing. The guy with the broken leg must have been on the end of a kick boxer's wrath??

[lee b]

And thats why the Kangaroo bar is great !!

[webfact]

Berserker Australians get rough Phuket justice
Naraporn Tuarob


The brawl started in the Kangaroo bar and spilled out into Bangla Rd. Image: Google Street View

PHUKET: -- Two out-of-control Australians received rough justice early yesterday morning (May 23), after they attacked an American in a bar on Bangla Rd and started a brawl.

The Australians, named as Peter John Maynard, 28, and Craig Bradly Lenard True, 29, were beaten up by the mob of people after they went wild and attacked people in a bar and passers-by in the street.

Pol Lt Col Akanit Danpitaksart, Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station said he was informed that two drunk tourists were attacking people in Bangla Road and people were trying to restrain them.

“After collecting statements we learned that True and Maynard were on the first night of their first trip to Thailand, staying in an apartment in Soi Nanai.

“They became very drunk and were behaving in a disorderly manner. They tried to get into the Hollywood Disco but were barred by security guards,” said Lt Col Akanit.

Apparently this made the duo angry. They went into the Kangaroo Bar across the road “and acted angrily” towards other foreigners. One threw an ashtray which hit American John Hentsch, 28, in the face, cutting his right eyebrow.

They were also said to have used barstools to hit other people and slapped a Thai woman working in the bar.

They also attacked people walking along Bangla Rd. Not unnaturally, there was a reaction. A growing mob of both Thais and foreigners gave them a good beating, leaving Maynard with a broken leg and True with a severe eye injury.

They and the American were taken to Patong Hospital. Mr Hentsch was released after receiving stitches but the two Australians are still in the hospital.

Initially, the Australians are charged with assault and with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

While the assault charge carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine, the drunk and disorderly offence leaves the offender liable only to a small fine. In the case of foreigners they may be thrown out of the country and possibly declared persona non grata.

Australian Honorary Consul Larry Cunningham said this morning that neither had requested consular assistance. He added that he was trying to get more information from police but that this was proving difficult.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/berserker-australians-get-rough-phuket-justice-39601.php


-- Phuket News 2013-05-24

[stoffel45]

In my three years working at the Australian embassy from 96-98 I visited Patong regularly to assist Australian warships visiting Ao Makham and anchoring off Patong. During that period I am ashamed to say I saw some of the worst behaviour I have ever seen from Australian servicemen! I visited Patong again as a civilian last year and I was absolutely disgusted at the appearance and behaviour of young Australian "Bogans" there for a week of alcohol abuse and depravity.

It seems Australian tourists are quickly developing a reputation for being the most aggressive and rude nationality across the world. One of the reasons I chose to leave Australia and live in Thailand was the seemingly rampant disregard to the rule of law by the young people of Australia.

Disgusting behaviour by two Australian men who clearly do not know when they have had enough to drink. They must have been truly wasted for the bouncers at Hollywood to refuse them entry judging by the state of some of the people I have seen admitted over the years!

Makes one ashamed to be Australian!

You shouldn't be ashamed because of a few, these two thugs should be deported!!

Ooh, they WILL be, after a VERY unpleasant stay, in a VERY unsanitary jail.

[chutai]

Bit of a generalisation I know, but my experience of Aussies abroad is that they don't travel well. Although why this event this event is deemed to be so newsworthy I don't know. But it is news to me that "public intoxication" is against the law. I wish someone had told the policeman who drunkenly forced me at gun point to give him a lift on my 'motocyce' one upon a time in Prachuap (I think it was), but that's another story.

[blueshark]

what ever happen who ever is to blame they are lucky they didnt wind up dead.

[DRONGOH]

Another couple of <deleted> giving us all a bad name, someone should invent an idiot detector to stop these fools leaving Oz

I'm quite sure the problem is with every nationality, when they left Oz I am sure they were very nice people, the drink affects people in different ways! Hope they realize what they did and realize there life could have been at risk!!

Looks like they've got their degree at the uni of Mitchell street in Darwin.

[Baerboxer]

They come act like fools, they think that it's ok to disrespect people and act like they are better than the local people. This happens in this country too often with both Brits and Aussies. They should take away there visa exempt status to visit the country. Make them get tourist visas to come here.

And other nationalities are all so well behaved? Why do some poster want to continually make racisit comments and seemingly pretend other nationalities have no issues with their behviour? (Obviously there own countrymen must be so perfectly behaved).

Read the news, open your eyes. Drunken thugish behaviour blights many countries. Do you expect them to behave differently if they travel?

[Pops]

Interesting story. Made so by the fact that the "mob" was not clearly defined.... Would be curious to know if it was other farang patrons at the bar, or local Thai guys. Looks like they would have pissed off both groups, with the ashtray attack on the American and slapping the bar girl. Impressive to break the guy's leg in a street fight, must have used some furniture on him. And after seeing the photos, it seems to once again solidify the link between excessive tattoos and mindless drunken violence. Regarding their injuries, som nam na !!!!!!!!!

A relationship between tattoos and violence, just because you sometimes see a photo of tattooed guys on Thai Visa, how ignorant.

You don't even know the whole story or who these people are.

Does that also mean that because there seem to be many ignorant remarks (like yours) on Thai Visa that there is a link between Thai Visa members and ignorance ?

[marcusd]

In my three years working at the Australian embassy from 96-98 I visited Patong regularly to assist Australian warships visiting Ao Makham and anchoring off Patong. During that period I am ashamed to say I saw some of the worst behaviour I have ever seen from Australian servicemen! I visited Patong again as a civilian last year and I was absolutely disgusted at the appearance and behaviour of young Australian "Bogans" there for a week of alcohol abuse and depravity.

It seems Australian tourists are quickly developing a reputation for being the most aggressive and rude nationality across the world. One of the reasons I chose to leave Australia and live in Thailand was the seemingly rampant disregard to the rule of law by the young people of Australia.

Disgusting behaviour by two Australian men who clearly do not know when they have had enough to drink. They must have been truly wasted for the bouncers at Hollywood to refuse them entry judging by the state of some of the people I have seen admitted over the years!

Makes one ashamed to be Australian!

You shouldn't be ashamed because of a few, these two thugs should be deported!!

Ooh, they WILL be, after a VERY unpleasant stay, in a VERY unsanitary jail.

Thailand is a nice holiday destination and accommodating for most things.

Young western men arrive with lots of cash and an invincible attitude.

Even at home in Australia they flount the laws.

Parents need to be tougher on kids and society enforce more SOCIAL behaviour.. Not give in saying...¨ ooh my friends might think i am harsh¨. i was whacked grew ipmand in a great job and not dimented from a hit.

If authorities wont allow some discpline let them take the animals home.

These louts need to be really shown a harsh gaol for a while and learn being NICE gets better results

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chutai]

They come act like fools, they think that it's ok to disrespect people and act like they are better than the local people. This happens in this country too often with both Brits and Aussies. They should take away there visa exempt status to visit the country. Make them get tourist visas to come here.

And other nationalities are all so well behaved? Why do some poster want to continually make racisit comments and seemingly pretend other nationalities have no issues with their behviour? (Obviously there own countrymen must be so perfectly behaved).

Read the news, open your eyes. Drunken thugish behaviour blights many countries. Do you expect them to behave differently if they travel?

It's true that other nationals do behave badly as well. But racist ! How can it be racist when white Aussies are the same race,i.e. caucasian. Please understand the term race before flaunting it

[lee b]

Good to hear that they got a good kick in from both Thais and falangs

[HeavyDrinker]

Good to hear that they got a good kick in from both Thais and falangs

What's 'falangs'?

[chutai]

Good to hear that they got a good kick in from both Thais and falangs

What's 'falangs'?

If they used plurals , the way Thai people pronounce farang or when extended farang sayt for French ?

[Baerboxer]

Interesting story. Made so by the fact that the "mob" was not clearly defined.... Would be curious to know if it was other farang patrons at the bar, or local Thai guys. Looks like they would have pissed off both groups, with the ashtray attack on the American and slapping the bar girl. Impressive to break the guy's leg in a street fight, must have used some furniture on him. And after seeing the photos, it seems to once again solidify the link between excessive tattoos and mindless drunken violence. Regarding their injuries, som nam na !!!!!!!!!

They where warned by Thais & farang alike - they didnt heed the warning!

Tattoos have got nothing to do with it! NO more than singlets or board shorts do!

Well, there actually is a relationship (not a 'perfect' relationship, of course!) between having more than three tattoos and engaging in criminal behaviour: http://courses.ttu.edu/jkoch/Research/Revised%20Resubmission%20SSJ%20May%2009.pdf

An interesting paper. However, the sample is very specific i.e. American college students. Applying this universally would academically weak without more research.

[EyesWideOpen]

Interesting story. Made so by the fact that the "mob" was not clearly defined.... Would be curious to know if it was other farang patrons at the bar, or local Thai guys. Looks like they would have pissed off both groups, with the ashtray attack on the American and slapping the bar girl. Impressive to break the guy's leg in a street fight, must have used some furniture on him. And after seeing the photos, it seems to once again solidify the link between excessive tattoos and mindless drunken violence. Regarding their injuries, som nam na !!!!!!!!!

A relationship between tattoos and violence, just because you sometimes see a photo of tattooed guys on Thai Visa, how ignorant.

You don't even know the whole story or who these people are.

Does that also mean that because there seem to be many ignorant remarks (like yours) on Thai Visa that there is a link between Thai Visa members and ignorance ?

You have to keep up with the news Pops, then comments like mine will perhaps make more sense to you. Or perhaps not......

The last big news story in Phuket about crazed Aussies was the two wannabe hoodlums who were doing a debt collection in a bar area of Soi Bangla. They were trying to shoot the guy in debt, and ended up hitting a bystander. In the news photos about them, they were covered in tattoos, including a large one of Chuckie on the arm of one of them. Hence my joke about Aussies, crime , and tattoos. Ok you can go back to sleep now.....

Am still curious who the members of the " mob" were. In all my years here, I have never heard of a combo Thai / farang group of people beating someone up. These Aussie guys must have set some kind of obnoxious record to piss of both groups at the same time.

:-)

Edited May 24, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[Baerboxer]

They come act like fools, they think that it's ok to disrespect people and act like they are better than the local people. This happens in this country too often with both Brits and Aussies. They should take away there visa exempt status to visit the country. Make them get tourist visas to come here.

And other nationalities are all so well behaved? Why do some poster want to continually make racisit comments and seemingly pretend other nationalities have no issues with their behviour? (Obviously there own countrymen must be so perfectly behaved).

Read the news, open your eyes. Drunken thugish behaviour blights many countries. Do you expect them to behave differently if they travel?

It's true that other nationals do behave badly as well. But racist ! How can it be racist when white Aussies are the same race,i.e. caucasian. Please understand the term race before flaunting it

rac·ism n.

1. The belief that race accounts for differences inhuman character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race

The poster I responded to suggests Brits and Aussies should have their rights to visa exempt status removed based on their being that nationality. Look at point two in the definiton above.

Perhaps you need to understand things more before attempting to correct others.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Baerboxer

[harrycallahan]

I believe that there are more Australians in Jail per capita than any other western country. I guess it is not surprising since Australia has the 2nd highest juvenile crime rate in the western world.

Hardly, we have a particularly soft judiciary. USA is the country where first time DUIs can do time.

[AlphMichaels]

Idiots

[steveyinasia]

In my three years working at the Australian embassy from 96-98 I visited Patong regularly to assist Australian warships visiting Ao Makham and anchoring off Patong. During that period I am ashamed to say I saw some of the worst behaviour I have ever seen from Australian servicemen! I visited Patong again as a civilian last year and I was absolutely disgusted at the appearance and behaviour of young Australian "Bogans" there for a week of alcohol abuse and depravity.

It seems Australian tourists are quickly developing a reputation for being the most aggressive and rude nationality across the world. One of the reasons I chose to leave Australia and live in Thailand was the seemingly rampant disregard to the rule of law by the young people of Australia.

Disgusting behaviour by two Australian men who clearly do not know when they have had enough to drink. They must have been truly wasted for the bouncers at Hollywood to refuse them entry judging by the state of some of the people I have seen admitted over the years!

Makes one ashamed to be Australian!

You shouldn't be ashamed because of a few, these two thugs should be deported!!

I am never ashamed of being Australian, I don't act like these bogans, never have, never will.

[Ulic]

Not there fault,..... they were over-served.

[dmcguire70]

I am disgusted at the way a lot of my fellow Australians act whilst overseas and as far as Im concerned

They got what they deserved. Disrespectful jerks!!

[dcsw53]

Another couple of <deleted> giving us all a bad name, someone should invent an idiot detector to stop these fools leaving Oz

Can I buy a supply. Got some great potential customers, UK, Norway, UAE, Russia........ Could become seriuosly rich with sucha a huge market!!

[hubahuba]

Australians!

And you are ? No matter what Nationality they are behaving bad so fine them big time and then revoke their visa and throw them out

[lucjoker]

Seems that a pair of bullies got a bit of their own medicine. I wonder if they will learn from this lesson?

Yes they have will surely learned that f you slap a katoy ,the katoy can hit back ,even break your leg and dumps you in the middle of the street!

In fact there was no "mob" it was only a katoy (named "Mob" ) lol

[Amras]

I believe that there are more Australians in Jail per capita than any other western country. I guess it is not surprising since Australia has the 2nd highest juvenile crime rate in the western world.

ACTUALLY..Americans are the most incarcerated per capita...They have huuuuge numbers of people in Jail. Australia pails in comparison. Don't 'believe' how about checking your facts. Australia's about number 117.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_incarceration_rate

Austrlaia doesn't even make the list. I can't find any data on juveinille rates, however....logic would suggest that people enter crime at early ages and it follows a trend. Some stop, many follow the pattern.

So no, Australia very unlikely has the 2nd highest rate in the world. Might want to check facts before start sprouting non-sense.