A Russian woman has been charged with assault after allegedly kicking a pregnant store owner in the leg on Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani province.
Police arraigned the 40-year-old Russian, identified only as Alena, in Koh Samui Provincial Court on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old complainant, named only as Ms Satika, owns a store selling souvenirs and natural products on Koh Phangan, and is eight-months pregnant. She filed a charge with police on Tuesday afternoon, alleging the Russian woman kicked her in the right leg.
Ms Alena was charged with assault causing physical and mental harm, which carries a jail term of up to two years and/or fine up to 40,000 baht.
It is alleged that around 1pm on March 18, the woman entered Ms Satika's store on Koh Phangan wearing shoes. A sign on the door said people entering the store must take off their shoes.
Ms Satika said she told Ms Alena in English to take off her shoes, but she ignored her.
When she repeated the request, the woman allegedly became upset and kicked her twice on the right leg, before walking out.
During questioning, Alena allegedly admitted to kicking Ms Satika and apologised to her. She said had her period that day and it made her hot tempered.
Police would also ask the Surat Thani immigration office to consider revoking Ms Alena's visa.
