British businessman, 33, accused of attacking tuk-tuk driver over fare dispute faces deportation
A British businessman is facing deportation after he was accused of attacking a tuk-tuk driver in a fare dispute in Thailand.
Shane Daniel Correia, 33, reportedly punched driver Chalong Kamplong as he refused to pay for a ride on the resort island of Phuket.
Footage from the early hours of the morning on July 2 shows the bearded tourist in a white hoodie bellowing at the Thai driver when confronted over the unpaid fare worth 300 baht (6.75 GBP).
The Brit screamed: 'Pay you money? I'll smash your f****** head in.'
Another clip showed him slapping Chalong's phone away, sending it flying before knocking him down with a blow to the head. He then fled the scene with two women in an orange Ford Raptor pickup.
Chalong said that Correia, who had previously ran an office services company in the UK, was with two women riding from the red-light district Soi Bangla to Soi Nanai when the alleged attack occurred.
He was taken to the hospital with facial injuries that required eight stitches before filing a report with police.
Officers later tracked down the Brit, who was running a cannabis business on the island. Officers said his face was visible in the video of the alleged assault.
They detained him at his condominium and revoked his visa over 'assaulting another person causing physical or mental harm'.
Officers said Correia was in Thailand legally for business and owns the Canna High Dispensary on the island. He was labelled a 'threat to society, public peace, and safety' following the alleged attack.
Police Colonel Khemmachat Wattanaphakesem, superintendent of Phuket Immigration, said Correia was transferred to Phuket Immigration, pending deportation.
He said: ‘We will prosecute the suspect in accordance with legal procedures.
‘We will also coordinate with relevant agencies to carry out immigration measures once the court proceedings have concluded.'
The Brit is due to be taken to the provincial court today, July 3.
Correia was previously arrested in the UK in 2023, when he clashed with students over a noise dispute in Colchester.
Correia reportedly emerged from his flat wielding a baseball bat, before allegedly launching himself at Isik Sancakli, pummeling him with his fists.
The student was said to have suffered a fractured jaw.
Correia was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
He was found guilty on both charges and jailed for five years by a judge before his latest offence in Thailand.
