A university student filed a police complaint after she was physically assaulted by a chef during an internship at a hotel in Phuket.
The complainant, a 20 year old student identified only as Bee, reported the assault to Patong Police Station. She also shared CCTV footage with several news outlets, and the video has since circulated widely on Thai social media.
According to Bee, she studies at a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat and began an internship at the Phuket hotel on July 1 alongside two classmates.
She said the accused chef acted as her workplace supervisor. During the placement, Bee was responsible for preparing ingredients, including meat, vegetables and fruit, while also carrying out other duties assigned by the chef.
Bee alleged that on July 18 she was instructed to complete several kitchen tasks before being told to serve rice. She said she was finishing another assignment when the chef complained about the delay.
According to Bee, the chef then struck her arm with a spatula and slapped her twice on the face, leaving her feeling dizzy. The assault was captured on CCTV footage and witnessed by several workers at the hotel.
Bee also claimed this was not the first assault during her internship. She alleged that on an earlier occasion the chef criticised her for cooking undercooked rice and forced her to eat it despite colleagues attempting to intervene.
Following the assault, Bee said her university immediately terminated the internship programme with the hotel. She and the two other students subsequently left the placement.
According to Channel 8, police have charged the chef in connection with the physical assault. Investigators are also considering whether additional charges are appropriate over the allegation that Bee was forced to eat undercooked rice.
The chef’s identity has not been disclosed, and the hotel has not issued a public statement regarding the incidents.
The story Phuket hotel chef slaps and hits student trainee with spatula as seen on Thaiger News.
