A crazed knifeman is facing possible charges of attempted murder following an unprovoked attack on a Canadian expat outside a coffee shop in Ekamai on Wednesday night.

Businessman Blake Sibbitt, 33, was sat having a relaxing drink with his mother at the Coffee Club Ekamai at around 10pm when out of nowhere he was approached by a shirtless man who grabbed and held him by the arm before attempting to stab him in the face with a large kitchen knife.

Luckily Mr Sibbitt was able to dodge his first attempt and as the man took another lunge at him he grabbed the knife to prevent the man stabbing his face, causing minor injuries to his hand.

The crazed knifeman lost balance and fell over giving Blake and his mother time to flee. According to an eyewitness, the unnamed man was soon back on his feet, giving chase screaming and shouting in Thai like a man possessed.

The coffee shop manager yelled for Mr Blake to come inside, where his mother had already sought refuge, and held the door closed with other members of staff as the knifeman stabbed at the door and shop windows still intent on getting at his target.

The man was eventually disarmed and held by a group a motorbike taxi drivers who had witnessed the incident. A security guard further restrained him with handcuffs as he was still extremely agitated as they waited for police to arrive.



The incident was captured in part by Facebook user Siam Tom Raemklang who uploaded this footage recorded on his mobile phone



CCTV footage from the coffee shop of the incident

Officers from Thong Lor Police Station were soon on the scene and following a search of the man they discovered two more knives. He was immediately arrested and taken in for questioning.

It was initially thought by those who witnessed the attack that the man was under the influence of drugs, however, following a drug test by police it was found to be negative and his behaviour was attributed to him drinking lao khao which was contained in a M150 bottle officers had found in his pocket when they initially searched him at the scene.

Despite statements from Mr Blake, his mother and four witnesses, police said there wasn’t enough evidence yet to charge the man with attempted murder and they were asked to return to the police station on Thursday with the CCTV footage from the coffee shop.

The knifeman was held in custody pending further inquiries.

Mr Blake, a five year resident of Bangkok and owner of the BestLife Real Estate Agency, said he was “lucky to be alive” and warned others to be on guard when approached by strangers, even in popular areas frequented by expats that appear to be safe.





