Tourist sought over alleged assault at Pattaya cannabis shop

Pattaya police are investigating a complaint from a 34-year-old cannabis shop employee who says she was sexually harassed by a foreign male tourist in the Walking Street area early on 6 September.

The woman, identified only as Ms A, told police the man entered the shop in Soi 15, Walking Street, South Pattaya, and later allegedly grabbed her genitals as residents tried to drive him away. The suspect fled after being struck with a stick.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Suphakit Khonthee, a deputy investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the complaint.

CCTV footage and video filmed by local residents reportedly captured part of the confrontation.

Employee describes early-morning encounter

Ms A said she was checking stock behind the cashier counter at about 5.50am when the man, who she described as a dark-skinned foreigner, approached a glass door beside the shop.

She said he pressed himself against the glass, rapidly moved his tongue and made thrusting movements before attempting to enter. When he could not initially open the door, he allegedly began banging on it loudly before getting inside.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

The employee said the man tried to get close to her while she moved away and asked him what he wanted. She said she feared he intended to harm her, adding that she has a partner who is a tom - the Thai term commonly used for a masculine-presenting woman.

According to her account, the man crossed a metal barrier inside the premises as she tried to reach her phone. She said she eventually lured him outside, ran back in and locked the door.

In her police report, Ms A also alleged that the man behaved indecently by exposing his genitals.

Residents intervene as suspect flees

After the shop was locked, a 64-year-old woman and two or three other local residents came to help and tried to chase the man away, Ms A said.

The older woman was allegedly kissed on the cheek by the man. When Ms A went outside to record video evidence, she said he walked directly towards her. Residents shouted for her to return to the shop, but she alleged that, as they passed each other, he reached out and grabbed her genitals.

Residents then used sticks to chase and strike the man, who ran away.

The 64-year-old woman, who works the daytime shift looking after an apartment building, told reporters she had gone over after seeing the man apparently trying to harm the shop employee. She said he harassed her and kissed her cheek, prompting her to hit him with a stick.

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7 September 2026