British businessman arrested for 'attacking officer because he hates people in uniform'
A British businessman was arrested for allegedly attacking a Thai officer because he 'hates his uniform '.
Jacob Alexander Elder, 39, reportedly tried to ram his motorcycle into the government official stationed at the historic Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai province.
The muscular Brit, from Rochford, Essex, was then said to have shouted abuse and repeatedly flashed his middle finger.
Police were called when he began allegedly punching and kicking municipal workers, sparking alarm among other tourists and bystanders.
Cops rushed to the scene, where they found the holidaymaker still rampaging near the street.
It took several policemen to restrain well-built Jacob and pin him to the ground. He was then taken to the local police station and is now facing deportation and possible blacklisting.
Police Colonel Pratchaya Tissala, superintendent of Chiang Mai station, said Jacob had previously shown violent behaviour, though no drugs or alcohol were found in his system.
He said: ‘The suspect has initially been charged with obstructing an officer in the performance of duty and insulting a public official while carrying out their duties.
‘As for the motive, we believe it stems from his own behaviour. People close to him have told us that he dislikes people in uniform.
‘We attempted to question him, but he was incoherent and appeared to be not fully aware of what was happening.
'During the arrest, he resisted officers and behaved aggressively.
'Initial tests found no alcohol or illegal drugs in his system, while his mental condition remains under investigation.
'Police and immigration authorities will proceed according to the law, and once the legal process is completed, he will be deported from Thailand.
‘Regarding reports that he had caused similar disturbances before, there were no previous formal complaints or police reports.
‘However, several people have stated that they had witnessed similar behaviour on multiple occasions, and officers have gathered this information as part of the investigation.'
Police Colonel Pitakpong Charoenkul said Jacob entered Thailand through the 60-day visa exemption scheme, and was recently approved for a student visa in Chiang Mai.
He added: ‘He entered Thailand as a tourist on April 3 and was permitted to stay under the 60-day visa exemption scheme.
‘He later applied to change his immigration status to a student visa through an educational institution in Chiang Mai, and that application was approved only last week.
‘This morning, we were notified by Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station that he had allegedly assaulted a municipal officer.
‘Immigration officers have already informed the institution, which has informed us that it will be issuing an order terminating his student status on the grounds of inappropriate conduct and committing a criminal offence, both of which violate the institution's regulations.
‘Once the institution formally terminates his student status, the Immigration office will proceed with revoking his permission to stay in the country and will take further action in accordance with the Immigration Act.
‘As for blacklisting, Chiang Mai Immigration will submit the case to the Immigration Bureau for consideration.
‘Once the criminal case has been concluded, investigators from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station will transfer him to Chiang Mai Immigration.
‘He will then be sent to the Immigration Detention Centre and deported to the United Kingdom in accordance with the Immigration Act.'
Jacob is the founder of Chiang Mai-based content creation business 'Mindful Studio'. On his Instagram, he posts portraits of locals and tourists he meets during his travels.
