British dad ‘killed protecting family from attacker’ in Thailand hotel room

Amitpal Singh Bajaj died in Thailand following a confrontation with another man (Picture: ViralPress)

Tributes have been paid to a British dad who was killed while on holiday with his family. 

Amitpal Singh Bajaj, from Southall, in west London, was allegedly choked to death by fellow tourist Roger Bullman, 53, in Phuket, Thailand.

His wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj claimed Bullman, from Norway, who was staying in the next room at the Centara Grand Hotel on Karon Beach, barged into their room and attacked her husband.

The couple, who were on holiday with their two-year-old son, had been woken by loud noises in the early hours of Wednesday and found someone was trying to knock open their balcony door, according to Mrs Bajaj.

In a statement released through the Sikh Press Association, she said a naked white man ‘barged in through the balcony door and stormed aggressively’ towards her husband. Mrs Bajaj added: ‘My husband tried to block the man and move me and my son away.

‘As the man was kicking, punching and just beating him up my husband told me to please leave and save our son.’

Amitpal Singh Bajaj, 34, and his wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj (Picture: ViralPress)

Roger Bullman (far right) claims he was stabbed by Mr Bajaj Picture: ViralPress)

 Mrs Bajaj said she ran from the hotel and hid with her son under a tree near the spa, from where she called the reception for help.

Authorities later told her Mr Bajaj had died after being taken to hospital at around 4am. She added: ‘My husband sacrificed his life to save my son’s life and mine.

He will always be our hero.’ Mr Bajaj had confronted Bullman in the next room for making too much noise while his family was trying to sleep, according to Phuket News.

Karon Chief Police Col Prawit said the pair began arguing and a fight broke out and the Norwegian man had broken into Mr Bajaj’s room via the balcony.

Bullman was arrested and has been charged with manslaughter Picture: ViralPress)

Bullman claims Mr Bajaj stabbed him in his left shoulder with a knife during their argument and he used his ‘martial skills’ to restrain him in a chokehold.

He was arrested and has been charged with manslaughter and trespass by an act of violence.

A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Phuket, and are in contact with the Thai authorities.’

A memorial event is due to take place for Mr Bajaj tomorrow evening at the Sikh temple in Southall Park Avenue, where he was a member.

The temple’s general secretary Harmeet Singh Gill said the community was ‘shocked and saddened’ to learn of Mr Bajaj’s death ‘whilst protecting his family’.

Source: Metro.co.uk