Media Release
WA man jailed for attack on his brother in Thailand
Editor’s note: Arrest vision available via Hightail
A West Australian man who attacked his brother with a bladed weapon following an argument in Thailand in 2019 is the first person in the country to be convicted of causing harm to an Australian citizen overseas.
He was sentenced in the Perth District Court today (23 September, 2026) to a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years.
The Casuarina man, now 50, was living in Thailand when he attacked his older brother in February, 2019, during that brother’s visit to the country. The attack left the victim severely injured, with emergency surgery required to repair and remove damaged internal organs.
The AFP investigated the attack – with the assistance of the Royal Thai Police – after the victim reported the assault in October 2019 after returning to Australia.
The Casuarina man returned to Australia in late 2019 before the AFP charged him in August, 2020.
He later pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or resident outside Australia, contrary to section 115.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The brothers had argued late one evening while refurbishing a bar the accused man was planning to open in the city of Pattaya.
Early the next morning, after they returned to the accused man’s home, the accused forced his way into a bedroom and struck the victim multiple times with a bladed weapon.
The victim suffered severe stab wounds to his lower back, chest, torso, stomach and legs.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said this case was testament to the strength of the AFP's partnerships and global network.
“International matters involving Australians can be complex and difficult to investigate, but in this matter, the AFP was able to collaborate with the Royal Thai Police to achieve this outcome," Det Supt Chwal said.
“We would like to thank the Royal Thai Police for their assistance in obtaining evidence to facilitate the successful prosecution back here in Australia.
“This was a particularly violent attack, and the victim underwent emergency surgery. If the man hadn’t received that urgent treatment, he likely would have died."
