Bangkok police Taser German tourist on Khao San Road

Thai police used a Taser to restrain a German tourist during a confrontation on Bangkok's Khao San Road after he allegedly directed racist abuse at a Canadian visitor and praised Adolf Hitler.

Marsala Gueye, 34, a black Canadian from Toronto, said he and two Australian friends were eating at a restaurant on the backpacker strip when the intoxicated man approached their table.

Gueye said the man tried to join them and attempted to share a book about Hitler. When the group asked him to leave, he allegedly became aggressive and repeatedly used the N-word.

"He did not listen, and the situation eventually escalated," Gueye said. "He became aggressive, made racist remarks and repeatedly used the N-word."

Footage shows Nazi salute and police response

Gueye said the man later returned and tried to give him a mug. He did not initially recognise the image on it, but a friend told him it displayed a Nazi swastika.

The group moved across the road to get away from him, but the man allegedly followed. Images from the scene shows a tourist in a Hawaiian shirt speaking with a local before walking to the pavement and lying down.

He is then heard shouting slogans praising Hitler, making Nazi salutes and looking towards the group. In the footage, the group asks him to repeat himself, while the man shouts the N-word and says: "Kanye West is my f---ing brother."

Local people reportedly called police amid fears the argument could turn into a fight. Another image shows the tourist charging towards Gueye before four officers step in.

As the man continued following the group, an officer drew a Taser and fired it, causing him to fall to the ground. Officers then told the others to move away while they dealt with him.

Gueye said he saw the man carrying luggage containing numerous Hitler- and Nazi-related items.

Police say neither side sought charges

Police Lieutenant Colonel Komonsit Sawatmongkol, deputy superintendent of patrol at Chanasongkhram Police Station, said officers initially could not establish who had started the dispute or whether either party was a victim or suspect.

He said one foreigner was Canadian and the other was German. Police described the German, who they said was wearing a green shirt, as appearing dizzy or possibly intoxicated.

"The officers told them not to cause any trouble and asked them to separate," he said. Both sides said the matter was over and did not appear to want to press charges, he added.

Gueye later visited the police station to make a complaint, but police said officers had not witnessed violence when they arrived. They said they saw both parties throwing bottles, without either bottle hitting anyone.

The unnamed German tourist was not arrested and was allowed to go on his way after the confrontation was de-escalated. Police said the matter would not be investigated further because the alleged victims did not return to provide further statements.

Pictures courtesy of ViralPress

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19 September 2026