A foreign man was arrested in the early hours of 20 June 2026 after allegedly assaulting an Indian tourist, damaging a songthaew taxi and causing disorder in Pattaya, prompting police to deploy more than 10 officers to bring the situation under control.
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Police from Pattaya City Police Station were called to the junction near the Marine Hotel on Pattaya Second Road Soi 16 in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, at 3.00am. Officers found a large foreign man causing a disturbance while motorcycle taxi riders, Bolt riders, songthaew drivers and tourists surrounded him to prevent him from leaving. Due to his apparent state of intoxication and refusal to cooperate, officers required more than 10 minutes and reinforcements of over 10 police officers to take him into custody.
CCTV footage reportedly showed the man arguing with several groups before chasing an Indian tourist and becoming involved in a confrontation near a songthaew parking area. During the disturbance, property was damaged, including a broken wing mirror on a songthaew. The confrontation later spread to involve an Indian man and a Thai Bolt motorcycle rider, leading to wider unrest.
According to the suspect’s daughter, the family had been celebrating her birthday at a bar in South Pattaya. She said an argument broke out with a ladyboy inside the venue and claimed her mother had her hair pulled. The daughter said she intervened and was allegedly struck on the head with a bottle, suffering injuries to her leg and head. She stated that the ladyboy left the scene before the family departed the bar.
She said that while walking away from the bar, Indian national Mr Karan Kumar, aged about 35, allegedly touched her on the hip. She claimed her father, the suspect, confronted him, leading to a fight in which Mr Kumar fell and suffered a head injury. She further alleged that her father then assaulted a Thai man who attempted to intervene.
However, Ms Thikhamphon Kaewin, 20, a friend of the injured Indian tourist, disputed that account. She said the group had been walking home when the foreign man accused them of staring at his family before punching Mr Kumar in the face. She denied that Mr Kumar had touched Ms Summer and said motorcycle taxi riders and Bolt riders pursued the suspect until police arrived at a Myanmar-owned food shop where he had taken refuge.
Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง
Songthaew driver Sompong, 52, said his vehicle was damaged during the confrontation. He reported that a side panel and the right wing mirror were broken and filed a police report seeking compensation.
Police have initially charged the man with being drunk and causing a public disturbance. Investigators said all parties involved had been drinking and that further interviews and evidence reviews would be conducted before any additional legal action is considered.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 20 June 2026