British tourist choked to death by martial arts expert in hotel after he complained about noise

Norwegian suspect broke down door during 4am argument

Zamira Rahim
Friday 23 August 2019 16:57 BST
Roger Bullman has been charged with manslaughter
Roger Bullman has been charged with manslaughter

A British man has been choked to death by a Norwegian tourist in Phuket, Thailand.

Police officers found Amitpal Singh Bajaj lying face down in his hotel room at Centara Grand Resort.

The 34-year-old was holiday with his wife and young son.

Detectives told The Phuket Times that the British citizen argued with Roger Bullman, a Norweigian martial arts expert staying in the adjacent room.

“Mr Bajaj confronted the tourist for making too much noise because his wife and child wanted to sleep,” said Major Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police.

“Mr Bullman was drunk and causing so much noise that hotel security came to warn Mr Bullman twice.”

The two men started arguing and Mr Bullman broke down the door connecting the two rooms.

“Both were fighting inside the room, and (at least one) bottle was used in the fight,” said Mr Siri.

“The fight continued outside the room. Mr Bullman was bigger and stronger, and had Mr Bajaj in a hold with his arm across his neck.”

The argument occurred at around 4am.

“Mr Bullman had Mr Bajaj in a choke hold, and continued to choke him,” the police officer added.

“Mr Bullman had previously been trained in marital arts, but he said he did not attempt to kill Mr Bajaj. He didn’t think that Mr Bajaj had died.”

Police officers arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.

They found the 34-year-old father bleeding from the nose and mouth.

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His breathing was weak and he was taken to hospital.

The British citizen died later from asphyxiation.

Detectives arrested Roger Bullman, who has been charged with trespass by an act of violence and with manslaughter.

People found guilty of manslaughter in Thailand face a sentence of three to 15 years in prison.

“We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Phuket, and are in contact with the Thai authorities,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

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