A 22-year-old Norwegian man was arrested in Bangkok on Friday after two alleged attacks in the Sukhumvit area. Police later sent him for a mental health assessment at a local hospital.
According to Thonglor police, the man first tried to seize a tuk tuk near Sukhumvit 25. He allegedly pushed the driver to the ground before fleeing on foot.
Shortly afterwards, a woman on a red bicycle was pushed over near Sukhumvit 43 and her bike taken. Police say she later identified the same Norwegian as the suspect.
Officers from Thonglor Police Station arrested the man around Sukhumvit 55 near a hotel while he rode the bicycle. He reportedly resisted arrest, behaved aggressively in custody and later injured himself by hitting his head on cell bars.
Police said alcohol tests were negative and further drug tests are pending. Under Thailand’s Mental Health Act, the Norwegian has now been transferred to a Bangkok hospital for assessment. He faces charges including attempted robbery, robbery causing harm and causing injury, while both Thai victims suffered minor injuries. Police have informed Thai immigration authorities and the Norwegian Embassy as the investigation continues.
