Norwegian man charged with strangling Singaporean woman's husband in Phuket granted bail

BANGKOK — A Norwegian man charged with manslaughter after he allegedly broke into the hotel room of a British man in Thailand and strangled him has been granted bail, according to news reports.

Roger Bullman, 54, was granted bail of 400,000 baht (S$18,140), said Thai police on Sunday (Aug 25). He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

The incident occurred during a fight between Bullman and Amitpal Singh Bajaj, 34, at the Centara Grand resort in Karon, Phuket on Wednesday (Aug 21). Bullman was staying in a room adjacent to the unit where Amitpal, his Singaporean wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj and their two-year-old son were in.

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Bullman was singing on his balcony in the early hours of the morning before being confronted by Amitpal regarding the loud noise. Bullman subsequently kicked down the door on the balcony separating the two rooms and the two men fought, said police.

"They fought, and because of his military background the Norwegian strangled the victim," Karon police major Techin Deethongon told AFP.

"He confessed and said he did not think his act would cause the victim to die."

Bullman claimed that he put Amitpal into a chokehold to stop him from moving but did not intend to kill him.

Bullman was also charged with invasion of property, added Mr Techin. AGENCIES