Pictures courtesy of Daily News

A British tourist has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a Bolt motorcycle taxi rider in Pattaya, leaving the driver injured and requiring medical treatment. The incident occurred at 03:35 on 31 December in front of Walking Street, South Pattaya and prompted an emergency response from rescue workers and police.

According to authorities, the injured rider was identified as Mr Phumin Prommanok, aged 26, who works as a Bolt rider. He suffered a torn wound under his lower lip and was treated with first aid at the scene before being taken for further care, while the suspect was taken into police custody.

The incident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre. Rescue workers coordinated with officers from Pattaya City Police Station before attending the scene on Walking Street in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

At the scene, officers detained the suspect, later identified as Mr Joseph Stephen Sweeney, aged 35, a British national. Both the suspect and the injured rider were subsequently taken to Pattaya City Police Station for questioning to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Mr Phumin told police that the suspect had booked his service through the Bolt application. He said he declined the ride after the passenger insisted on paying by credit card, which he could not accept and claimed he apologised repeatedly to the passenger.

Despite the apologies, Mr Phumin stated that the passenger became angry and suddenly punched him in the face several times. The blows caused a deep cut beneath his lip, resulting in visible bleeding and pain. After the assault, the suspect reportedly attempted to flee the area on foot. Bystanders nearby intervened and managed to restrain him until police arrived, preventing his escape.

Police officers and municipal special affairs officials confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody at the scene. Investigators questioned both parties to determine the appropriate legal charges based on the evidence and witness statements.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about disputes between drivers and passengers over payment methods, particularly in busy tourist areas during peak holiday periods. Police have reiterated that all incidents of violence will be handled according to the law.

Daily News reported that authorities said further legal proceedings will follow once the investigation is complete, and the suspect remains under police control as officers compile their case.

Key Takeaways

• A British tourist was arrested after allegedly assaulting a Bolt rider in Pattaya on 31 December.

• The rider suffered a torn lip after refusing a credit card payment requested by the passenger.

• Police are investigating and will proceed with legal action following questioning.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2026-01-01

 

Another shirtless chav causing trouble.

No tatts though!

Kick this clown outta the Kingdom and ban for 5 years.

No shirt, a red flag, avoid such people

3 in the morning. he was drunk out of his mind.

anywhere in the world, being a cabbie picking up drunk people after hours is a tough way to make a living.

These incidents are rife in the wee hours of holiday season. What with drunk passengers, shortages of rides, and often drivers asking inflated prices... language barrier is involved too.

Rest of the night in the cell, a thousand baht compensation or so, could be more if the guy lost a lot of prime earning time.

Where is the man bag?

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

shirtless

Button-down Oxford-Cloth, should be mandatory.

Pinpoint-Oxford, preferred, though.

I saw one of these, not the shirt, just yesterday, jogging.

His pecs were a-jiggling.

Just not right for any occasion, in Thailand.

Yet.

Airfare is cheap these days.

Anyone who can afford a bus ticket can afford to come here...

And show off his muscles.

I am moving FAR AWAY from any tourist areas.

I will need about 25 kilometers distance, before I begin to feel safe, once more.

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

No shirt, a red flag, avoid such people

red flag, for sure

Cash is king.

Nasty Brit.

No need to hit the guy. ☹️

Not wearing a shirt and being extremely fit is a bad look with the exception of Songran. It makes you an easy target for a society that is generally very fat. Most wish they had his body but flaunting it is kind of pathetic.

What about not wearing a shirt while running? I now wear one all the time because others just don't understand the benefits of not wearing a shirt for heavy sweaters like myself.

3 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Another shirtless chav causing trouble.

No tatts though!

Kick this clown outta the Kingdom and ban for 5 years.

A few days or weeks in a Thai prison might teach him some manners, but I suspect he will get a fine, and have to pay compensation.........unless he is on overstay??

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Airfare is cheap these days.

Check out Norse Atlantic, cheaper than Bangkok-Samui

Perp: "But but but - I was told that Thailand embraces a "cashless society."

If you have a Thai bank account. Sorry farang. Foreign credit cards not accepted.

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5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

No shirt, a red flag, avoid such people

Ahh, no shirt, red flag, black tanga, Soviet union

Roid rage

Doesn't Bolt operate the same way as Grab or Uber? - i.e. you register a payment card with them and the app deducts payment when you book. To stand in the street after your ride and expect a motorbike taxi to accept a credit card is moronic.

Just another of the "Mr. Tough-Guy's" showing up in multitudes lately. Pratumnak is full of these shirtless goons, always the aggressive stance, going out of their way to bump shoulders on crowded sidewalks. Easy availability of 'roids and drugs draws them in.

How I wish they'd drop this loser into the Nigerian unit for a couple of months.

Billy -no- mates..splashed all his cash in the bars, and still going home alone.

1 hour ago, PoorSucker said:

Check out Norse Atlantic, cheaper than Bangkok-Samui

Yes, but...

ONLY Quality Tourists are permitted to board the aircraft.

And, the color-scheme might not be exactly to one's liking.

9 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

ONLY Quality Tourists are permitted to board the aircraft.

What , must I wear a shirt?

37 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Doesn't Bolt operate the same way as Grab or Uber? - i.e. you register a payment card with them and the app deducts payment when you book. To stand in the street after your ride and expect a motorbike taxi to accept a credit card is moronic.

You can pay cash.

56 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Doesn't Bolt operate the same way as Grab or Uber? - i.e. you register a payment card with them and the app deducts payment when you book. To stand in the street after your ride and expect a motorbike taxi to accept a credit card is moronic.

Yes it does. Or you can pay cash (as you can with Grab also).

3.30am, Pattaya, Walking Stree=Trouble

49 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

What , must I wear a shirt?

Of course not.

Not If you fly CARGOLUX

2 hours ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Doesn't Bolt operate the same way as Grab or Uber? - i.e. you register a payment card with them and the app deducts payment when you book. To stand in the street after your ride and expect a motorbike taxi to accept a credit card is moronic.

Cash payments are also accepted for bookings, perhaps some people try to change the method on the rider's arrival?

Note that in the wake of this incident there will be no calls for banning all British people from booking Bolt rides or from entering Thailand at all.

10 hours ago, jacko45k said:

These incidents are rife in the wee hours of holiday season. What with drunk passengers, shortages of rides, and often drivers asking inflated prices... language barrier is involved too.

Rest of the night in the cell, a thousand baht compensation or so, could be more if the guy lost a lot of prime earning time.

1000 Baht compensation?

I guess if this happened in the UK GBP 25/- would suffice?

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Note that in the wake of this incident there will be no calls for banning all British people from booking Bolt rides or from entering Thailand at all.

Better to ban shirtless men and tattooed men

10 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Where is the man bag?

Probably back home in Burnley.