Confronting footage has emerged of two New Zealand brothers accused of wrestling a gun-wielding police officer to the ground while on holiday in Thailand.
Hamish, 36, and Oscar Day, 38, were one week into their trip and riding motorbikes through the Phuket town of Chalong on Saturday when police attempted to pull the pair over for alleged traffic offences.
The traffic cop alleged the tourists had been speeding and failed to stay in the left lane.
The pair were then allegedly involved in a high-speed police chase which ended when the men eventually pulled over before they were filmed allegedly brawling with Chalong Police Senior Sergeant Maj Somsak Noo-iad.
New Zealand tourists Oscar and Hamish Day have been detained by Thai police over the alleged assault of traffic cop (pictured)
The officer’s gun was allegedly discharged during the incident but the bullet did not hit anyone, The Bangkok Post reported.
A woman in the background can be heard shouting at the men: ‘You stop, you stop. He have gun. You stop.’
A man with a Kiwi accent replied: ‘The policeman was trying to attack us.
Senior Sergeant Noo-iad suffered arm injuries in the alleged attack and was later hospitalised.
Nearby officers moved in and arrested the two tourists, who were charged with a string of offences including robbery, obstruction of police duty, physical attack against a policeman, driving without a licence and bribery.
The pair have now engaged a lawyer and spent the last two nights in custody.
They will face court Phuket Provincial Court on Monday, where police are expected to oppose bail.
The men are the sons of high profile millionaire business and property owners Laurence and Katrina Day.
‘It’s very, very concerning,’ Mr Day told the New Zealand Herald.
‘The family is distraught. We’re praying for a good outcome.
The Day brothers are accused of being involved in a wild brawl with the Thai policeman
‘They were just on holiday. It’s very difficult. At the moment they’re okay. It’s a very trying time.’
He added that his sons had been enjoying their trip to Thailand until their arrests and had another 10 days to go on their holiday.
Tourists found guilty of breaking Thailand’s strict laws can be fined or jailed if convicted, and face deportation and a ban from re-entering the country.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk