The Russian couple were accompanied by their son who was involved in the incident on Jan 17 that saw property damage to the Governor’s office and the 26-year-old Russian offender admitted to hospital care.
All three met with Governor Sophon and his wife Busadee Suwannarat at Chaloem Phrakiat Somdet Phra Srinagarindra School in Wichit yesterday afternoon, where the family expressed their regret at the incident by extending a full apology.
In repsonse Governor Sophon urged the parents to take care of their son and to spread the word among fellow Russians not to engage in any sort of similar criminal activity. While Phuket authorities are committed to the safety of all tourists visiting the province, criminal activity cannot be abided and relevant agencies will subsequently carry out their duties to uplohold the law and prosecute when necessary, Governor Sophon stressed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Jan 17 when the unnamed 26-year-old Russian was reported to be running amok throughout the corridors of Provincial Hall, smashing a glass door in the Governor’s office in the process.
Security personnel attempting to capture the man not only discovered the broken glass door and bloodstains at the scene but a steel axe used, the kind used for breaking glass in case of emergency, beneath the governor’s secretary’s desk.
The same Russian man was later found attempting to steal a car near a convenience store nearby. He was not wearing a shirt, and was visibly injured, with blood flowing from his feet due to the glass cuts.
The man was swiftly taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment, where it was confirmed that he possessed psychiatric patient records.
After reviewing CCTV at the time police suspect he may have been experiencing a psychotic episode or under the influence at the time of his incursion.
It was reported that the man would face criminal charges and possible deportation at the time of the incident although no reference or update was made to this in the official PR Phuket report released yesterday following the meeting with the Governor; likewise the identities of the Russian offender and his parents were not released publicly.