British Tourist Punched: Guard Apologises, Security Training Scheduled

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

PATTAYA — A night out at the bustling Walking Street in Pattaya took a sharp turn for a British tourist as an altercation with a security guard ended in a punch knockout. The incident has sparked an apology from the guard and calls for intensified security training to preempt such occurrences, especially with the Songkran festivities on the horizon.

 

Sarawut, a 32-year-old security guard at the XO Club, found himself at the centre of attention after CCTV footage revealed him delivering a single punch to a 63-year-old British tourist, Mr C.

 

Both Sarawut and the club manager, Wilasinee Siriphoomchai, 45, faced tourism police at the Bang Lamung District Office on March 4, hoping to clarify the events of March 2. Joined by local officials, they shared footage showcasing the chain of events leading to the altercation.

 

Sarawut, clearly regretful, issued a public apology to Mr C and expressed remorse for tarnishing the area's reputation.

 

Delving into his side of the story, Sarawut explained the tourist was visibly intoxicated and allegedly resorted to kicking when stopped from entering the club. The kick, claimed Sarawut, landed sharply in his groin, prompting his impulsive and regrettable reaction.

"I lost my temper and I acted inappropriately," Sarawut confessed, underscoring the mutual apologies exchanged between him and Mr C at the Pattaya City Police Station, where the British tourist opted against pressing charges. "This has been a stern lesson for me on maintaining composure."

 

The club manager, Wilasinee, conveyed mixed sentiments—acknowledging the negative impact of the incident while defending Sarawut's typically calm nature, citing provocation as the trigger.

 

In the wake of events, Sarawut has been temporarily suspended, with the club revisiting policies to ensure staff understand the gravity of maintaining professionalism under pressure.

 

Taking no chances, Deputy District Chief Nathaphop Yomjinda announced plans to unite relevant agencies and businesses to discuss preventive strategies and beefed-up penalties for similar disturbances.

 

Meanwhile, a statement from Police Lieutenant Colonel Supharat Meeprecha highlighted the proactive role the Tourist Police Bureau, under Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, plays in training security operatives. Already, 409 guards have benefited from these sessions, markedly reducing violence reports.

 

Anticipating the influx of visitors for Songkran 2025, the Pattaya tourism police are gearing up for another training session aimed at equipping guards with the skills to navigate high-pressure environments calmly. This preparation is seen as vital to maintaining Pattaya's allure as a safe tourism hotspot, ensuring all visitors enjoy their stay without incident, reported Khaosod.

 

 

RELATED TOPIC:
British Tourist Knocked Out by Pattaya Club Bouncer 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353365-british-tourist-knocked-out-by-pattaya-club-bouncer/

 

 

-- 2025-03-05

 

 

[JoePai]

Ah everything OK now, next.....

[loong]

The tourist appeared to be walking up to the guard in an aggressive manner, but I didn't see him kick him.

[Harrisfan]

He did nothing wrong.

[Taboo2]

This is pure BS.  If a drunk Brit or anyone kick me in the groin, a proper beatdown is coming.  

 

That security guard will get money from me as I go to out there all the time.

 

The Brit got his ass handed to him.  

[cdemundo]

Story doesn't correspond to CCTV footage but oh well.

[AustinRacing]

The training will be focused on how to cover up your face so you don’t get busted on cctv. 

[lordgrinz]

I would give the guard a raise, and send the Brit home and add his name to the blacklist.

[SMIAI]

36 minutes ago, loong said:

The tourist appeared to be walking up to the guard in an aggressive manner, but I didn't see him kick him.

 

The guard invited him around the corner to fight.

[2long]

It's so sad that only Brits get drunk and act in this way... according to some AN members. 😏🧐🙄

[AgMech Cowboy]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The kick, claimed Sarawut, landed sharply in his groin, prompting his impulsive and regrettable reaction.

If true and someone did that to me, I sure hope I could deal a blow back as Khun Sarawut did. It might dawn on the 'kicker' not to try that kick maneuver on anyone in the future.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

PATTAYA — A night out at the bustling Walking Street in Pattaya took a sharp turn for a British tourist as an altercation with a security guard ended in a punch knockout. The incident has sparked an apology from the guard and calls for intensified security training to preempt such occurrences, especially with the Songkran festivities on the horizon.

Ahhhhh the Wai does it yet again...

[jcmj]

The Brit was the drunk offender who got what he deserved. The big bad drunk thinking he can push his way in. Sorry no sympathy for him. 

[hunkidori]

The 63 year old wannabe tough guy now knows he ain't tough. He should also learn that when drunk your punch resistance declines and it isn't a good idea to be taking blows to the head at his age.

 

 

[chippendale]

2 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

This is pure BS.  If a drunk Brit or anyone kick me in the groin, a proper beatdown is coming.  

 

That security guard will get money from me as I go to out there all the time.

 

The Brit got his ass handed to him.  

 

Ooohh, a keyboard warrior. Tough guy!

 

(After a kick in the groin you'll be on the ground whimpering like a sick puppy.)

[PETERTHEEATER]

2 hours ago, loong said:

The tourist appeared to be walking up to the guard in an aggressive manner, but I didn't see him kick him.

I too blinked and missed the bit where the guard was kicked in the groin. Thank goodness he was wearing protection. 😋

[ikke1959]

Soft power to attack tourists... 

[Thingamabob]

I somehow doubt the Brit would behave like that in his own country.

[Purdey]

I feel the guard apologized for no good reason.

[SAFETY FIRST]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

in a punch knockout. The incident has sparked an apology from the guard and calls for intensified security training to preempt such occurrences

No training required, Thai guy got a Bulls Eye. 

 

10/10, job well done 👍

[spidermike007]

A security guard or a bouncer working at one of these clubs should be highly trained in the art of de-escalation. They can certainly afford to do so and to not do so is negligent and bordering on belligerent. 

 

Also when one acts up and engages in assault, not only should the guard be held responsible but the owner of the club should be too. 

[roo860]

3 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

If true and someone did that to me, I sure hope I could deal a blow back as Khun Sarawut did. It might dawn on the 'kicker' not to try that kick maneuver on anyone in the future.

If someone dealt powerful kick to your groin you'd be writhing around on the floor for quite some time, by the time you stood up they'd be long gone.

[Mark Nothing]

A walking street club turning down a drunk tourist has never happened during my stay here.  Drunks are easier to fleece and welcomed with open arms.

 

And men don't kick other men in the groin.  Only a female does that.

 

The English guy in the video didn't appear the slightest bit drunk.  Very definite movements.  He seemed highly agitated about something though.  

 

It would be interesting to hook the security guard up to a lie detector test machine.  It would be screaming at his every answer.  Drug test would also be helpful.

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

I would give the guard a raise, and send the Brit home and add his name to the blacklist.

 

Yup... nothing like sending the message to all security in any bar in Thailand that they have the freedom to assault anyone they feel like.... Its part of the job description, isn't it ??

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

A security guard or a bouncer working at one of these clubs should be highly trained in the art of de-escalation. They can certainly afford to do so and to not do so is negligent and bordering on belligerent. 

 

Also when one acts up and engages in assault, not only should the guard be held responsible but the owner of the club should be too. 

 

Indeed....    'trained in de-escalation'...     but they are really thugs and anyone who's been here any length of time knows that.

 

 

Was the guard charged with assault ? any fines ?

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

I somehow doubt the Brit would behave like that in his own country.

 

Neither would the security guard get away with assaulting someone like that in the UK... (not when caught so clearly on CCTV)..... 

 

 

[thesetat]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Delving into his side of the story, Sarawut explained the tourist was visibly intoxicated and allegedly resorted to kicking when stopped from entering the club. The kick, claimed Sarawut, landed sharply in his groin, prompting his impulsive and regrettable reaction.

 

What a load of crap... The security actually waved the Brit egging him to come at him. There was no kick to his groin as far as I can see in the video. I do not think there was even time for the Brit to throw a kick at him. 

The Thai police are pitiful at taking sides. If a foreigner did that to a Thai man, he would be arrested and charged for a criminal offense. But if a Thai attacks a foreigner they think a wai and saying sorry is enough. 

The justice system is very one-sided. 

Pitiful that such. instances never get the justice they deserve. 

[CG1 Blue]

47 minutes ago, thesetat said:

What a load of crap... The security actually waved the Brit egging him to come at him. There was no kick to his groin as far as I can see in the video. I do not think there was even time for the Brit to throw a kick at him. 

You must be watching the wrong video. The security guy was backing off until the old fella came marching up thinking he was Rambo.

He also backed off straight after the punch, unlike a lot of the security thugs we've seen in previous videos.

I think this Sarawut showed both skills and restraint under the circumstances. 

 

I also can't see a kick to the groin - I wondered if that might have happened prior to the video recording. 

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

You must be watching the wrong video. The security guy was backing off until the old fella came marching up thinking he was Rambo.

 

The security guard had removed his uniform. Walked off to the alley and 'waved on' the drunk Brit who stupidly took the bait and as you put it, came marking up thinking he was Rambo...

 

None of that makes the assault morally right or justified. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

He also backed off straight after the punch, unlike a lot of the security thugs we've seen in previous videos.

 

Agreed... he didn't go in stamping on the knocked-out Brits head... But I wouldn't count that as a measure of virtuous character...    he'd just knocked out a 62 year old !!!... 

 

 

10 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

I think this Sarawut showed both skills and restraint under the circumstances. 

 

 

Agreed...   He shows the restraint to remain calm so he could use his skills more effectively in his attack...   He shows no restraint or skills to de-escalate the situation. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

I also can't see a kick to the groin - I wondered if that might have happened prior to the video recording. 

 

Or it just didn't happen at all and that was made up.

 

 

------------

 

As another poster put it... 'If a foreigner did that to a Thai man, he would be arrested and charged for a criminal offence'....

 

 

[MalcolmB]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Indeed....    'trained in de-escalation'...     but they are really thugs and anyone who's been here any length of time knows that.

 

 

Was the guard charged with assault ? any fines ?

I think most of them show a high degree of tolerance. And so do the general Thai population.

 

The Brit was coming at him very aggressively. 
I would have done a lot worse than that light little punch if he had of attacked me like that.

 

It is the old saying, if you want to start fights in Thailand, you better be able to actually fight.

The sloppy old Brit didn’t stand a chance