North Texan Killed In Thailand Over Singing Dispute
updated at 2:21 p.m.
BANGKOK (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — An American tourist, from North Texas, who insisted on singing with the band in a bar in a beach town in Thailand was killed by one of the musicians, police said Wednesday.
Bobby Ray Carter Jr., a 51 year old Texas businessman, died at a hospital of a stab wound in his chest after a brawl broke out early Wednesday at the bar at Ao Nang beach in Krabi province, police Lt. Col. Jongrak Pimthong said.
He said Carter was intoxicated, began singing with the band and refused to leave the stage to let other customers sing.
"Witnesses said Carter got angry when the band played 'Hotel California' instead of the song he requested, and he refused to step down," Krabi city police chief Col. Taksin Pochakorn said.
Police said the band then stopped playing and Carter and his 27-year-old son got into a furious argument with the musicians.
Jongrak said Carter, a Dallas native and former UPS executive, was stabbed in his chest with an iron rod during the fight outside the bar and his son was injured in the head.
The three band members were arrested and face charges of causing death by physical attack.
Thursday afternoon a spokesperson for the Carter family issued a statement that said:
"Yesterday, our family received the devastating news of Bobby Carter Jr's death in Thailand's Krabi province while vacationing with his wife, son and friends. We are deeply thankful for the prayers and support of family and friends as we grieve the loss of a loving, loyal and caring father and friend to many.
Media reports that allege that Bobby provoked the men who attacked and killed him are without merit.
We appreciate the swift action by the Thai police to capture the three men who took Bobby's life and are calling on the Thai justice system to hold these criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law for this senseless loss of life."
Ao Nang is a popular spot for foreign tourists on Thailand's west coast.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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