Savage machete attack leaves British man in serious condition – Cambodia

A British man is in a serious condition after surviving a brutal machete and baton attack on Koh Rong island, Cambodia.

According to police, Michael Hay, 27, was working at Long Beach Bungalow as a cashier on the island when a gang forced their way in at 11:30pm (5.30pm BST) Thursday, 19 March.

Hay was attacked with machetes and clubs, and suffered a fractured cheekbone and 11cm gash to his head.

The owner of the premises, Jooni Huhani Nleml, 40, from Finland, was also assaulted, but The Cambodia Daily reports that he was "responsive with no sign of serious head injuries".

The pair are recovering at the Calmette Hospital in the Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.

"Both victims were attacked with knives to the head and face and were injured seriously," said police chief Phul Phorsda. "There were two or three perpetrators," he added.

The assailants escaped with $3,000 (£2,006), a mobile phone, laptop and camera which they had stolen from their victims. Police have recovered machetes, batons and rocks from the scene which were used as weapons.

Cambodia's National Police has drafted a plan to safeguard foreign national and investors after a spate of violent crimes involving foreigners in past months.

"The purpose is to protect all foreigners, especially investors and tourists, as part of the government's strategic plan," National Police spokesman Lieutenant General Kirth Chantharith said. "Investment and tourism is very important in developing the economy and reducing poverty."

Last month tensions escalated between two groups of men at Sihanoukville's Queenco Hotel and Casino which resulted in a stabbing incident.

In another incident, tensions between two wealthy Russian Sihanoukville-based families reached new highs, resulting in a car explosion.

The recent spike in violent crimes prompted Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng to send a team of senior Interior Ministry officials to Sihanoukville to investigate crime in the seaside city.