A group of motorcycle taxi drivers in Pattaya were filmed assaulting foreign tourists during Songkran celebrations on 13 April, sparking widespread online criticism. The attack took place in Soi 6, off Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri, where witnesses said tensions escalated quickly into violence. No formal police complaint has yet been filed despite the severity of the incident.

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Video footage shared on social media shows several men wearing orange motorcycle taxi vests kicking and punching a foreign tourist until he fell to the ground. Another foreign man who attempted to intervene and assist his friend was also attacked by the group. The assault occurred in front of numerous bystanders, many of whom continued celebrating Songkran nearby.

According to an unnamed witness, the incident began when two foreign tourists were walking and playing with water guns as part of the festival. They reportedly sprayed water at a group of motorcycle taxi drivers, which led to anger and a heated verbal confrontation. The argument then escalated into a physical fight, resulting in the violent attack captured on video.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

The incident has drawn strong criticism online, with many questioning the appropriateness of such violence during a major tourism festival. Songkran is widely promoted as a welcoming cultural event, attracting large numbers of international visitors each year. Incidents like this risk damaging Thailand’s image as a safe tourist destination.

Police at Pattaya City Police Station have confirmed that no victims have come forward to file a complaint. However, investigation officers are expected to examine the video evidence and gather further information to determine the facts. Authorities have indicated that legal action may follow once those involved are identified.

Daily News reported that officials are likely to increase scrutiny of public behaviour during Songkran celebrations, particularly in high-tourism areas like Pattaya. The case remains under review as police work to verify details and locate those responsible.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 14 Apr 2026

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What a bunch of animals live in LOS

1 minute ago, Peterphuket said:

What a bunch of animals live in LOS

Some live here and some visit.

Short fused as we know them.

This Songkran degenerates to a hooligan festival.

Yesterday saw some clip from Phuket. Young foreigner spraying from a fire fighting hose connected to a pump on a water truck. Complete idiocy.

Some foreigners don't know that there are rules and limitations.

I remember that water throwing in the night is a no go.

Coward scum, gutless filth, kicking people on the ground, & the expat cowards,watching, any of those kicks could have killed them. You motorcycle taxi mafia are disgusting. Taxi Numbers 1, 7 12, 13, working in Pattaya, Soi 6 area, shouldnt he too hard to find them.

You see the aggression, hatred towards tourists, really this is how you bring dishonour, shame, disgrace, upon yourselves, your families, your job, Soi 6 aye..

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A group of motorcycle taxi drivers in Pattaya were filmed assaulting foreign tourists during Songkran celebrations on 13 April, sparking widespread online criticism. The attack took place in Soi 6, off Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri, where witnesses said tensions escalated quickly into violence. No formal police complaint has yet been filed despite the severity of the incident.

Get today's headlines by email

Video footage shared on social media shows several men wearing orange motorcycle taxi vests kicking and punching a foreign tourist until he fell to the ground. Another foreign man who attempted to intervene and assist his friend was also attacked by the group. The assault occurred in front of numerous bystanders, many of whom continued celebrating Songkran nearby.

According to an unnamed witness, the incident began when two foreign tourists were walking and playing with water guns as part of the festival. They reportedly sprayed water at a group of motorcycle taxi drivers, which led to anger and a heated verbal confrontation. The argument then escalated into a physical fight, resulting in the violent attack captured on video.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

The incident has drawn strong criticism online, with many questioning the appropriateness of such violence during a major tourism festival. Songkran is widely promoted as a welcoming cultural event, attracting large numbers of international visitors each year. Incidents like this risk damaging Thailand’s image as a safe tourist destination.

Police at Pattaya City Police Station have confirmed that no victims have come forward to file a complaint. However, investigation officers are expected to examine the video evidence and gather further information to determine the facts. Authorities have indicated that legal action may follow once those involved are identified.

Daily News reported that officials are likely to increase scrutiny of public behaviour during Songkran celebrations, particularly in high-tourism areas like Pattaya. The case remains under review as police work to verify details and locate those responsible.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 14 Apr 2026

View full article

For once I'm on the side of the motorcycle taxi riders. Imagine carrying fares all day having buckets of dirty ice cold water thrown in your face then when you get the chance of a break some stupid farang come and spray you with their water guns. Water throwing should strictly be between the players, anything else, especially on working people is assault.

I totally agree but why should a mob of scum bags resort to such violence, when a warning would've been more appropiate. It happend to me many times where I live but as I've got older the locals now respect me. Many even call me by my first name.

Just stay home, stay out of trouble till 3 days fever ends.

Anutin Urges Thais to Promote Songkran and Welcome Tourists - Thailand News - Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

That goes well together!

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Incidents like this risk damaging Thailand’s image as a safe tourist destination.

Safe tourists destination???

What is this: 1980???

Thailand has become a land of danger and completely destroyed the LOS image and reputation it had many decades ago...

10 minutes ago, boloaf said:

For once I'm on the side of the motorcycle taxi riders. Imagine carrying fares all day having buckets of dirty ice cold water thrown in your face then when you get the chance of a break some stupid farang come and spray you with their water guns. Water throwing should strictly be between the players, anything else, especially on working people is assault.

100% agree, what happened to all the so called rules, after 8pm all the water throwing is supposed to stop excluding maybe the last 2 days up to the 19th, water splashing was still going on on soi buakoew at 12:10am on Sunday/Monday, not a cop in site, people who very obviously were not expecting to get soaked were being sprayed with water and getting very angry, they clearly did not want to take part, going past on buses mb taxi's etc etc, this could clearly lead to violence, I blame the bars concerned - located around soi 21, all it would take is police to do a tour around pattaya and instruct the places to stop at 7pm on nights running up to 18th & 19th then people who don't want to participate know when it is safe to go out, this is generally how it has been for years until last year.

As for the OP I can understand why this happens especially MB taxi drivers who are trying to work and don't want to get constantly soaked while doing so, I blame the police for not enforcing some simple rules up to the 18th & 19th - stop at 7pm or even 6pm during the run up days - like I said it was like this before - just madness

20 minutes ago, OneManShow said:

Just stay home, stay out of trouble till 3 days fever ends.

3 days are you having a laugh, it is clearly 7 days - see my post above

The festival is anachronistic and irrelevant these days in light of how degenerate society has become.

Idiot farangs behaving as schoolkids and hair trigger motobike drivers on the rampage.

Thailand's best days are far in the rear view...

Up in the villages the young kids, teenagers and grown upas enjoy the water and face paste and heat relief. But they also do it politely and laugh having fun. Can be enjoyable if you are in the correct area of Thailand.

My biggest complaint are the 20 to 60 years old expats tourists (Pattaya Bangkok etc) that want to throw buckets of water in your face and be aggressive. No one should act that way drunk or sober.

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds said:

The festival is anachronistic and irrelevant these days in light of how degenerate society has become.

Idiot farangs behaving as schoolkids and hair trigger motobike drivers on the rampage.

Thailand's best days are far in the rear view...

It’s the same problem every year, particularly with some foreigners who come here specifically for this festival and don’t know their place.

Those guys are a bunch of thugs. I've had some tell me I can't park certain places. A bunch of low life jerks.

Went out yesterday to play Songkrans in Udornthani at about 4 pm. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of politeness even in the middle of the craziness. No water in the face, everyone who put paste on my face asked first, and my husband, who didn't want to get wet, was able to stay relatively dry on the walking path above me. Granted we were in a almost majority Thai crowd, not in a tourist area and not after dark.

If the foreign tourist squirted the motorcyclists with a water gun then he got what he deserved, only one thing though, why not just one Thai? Oh! don't answer that.

16 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

Went out yesterday to play Songkrans in Udornthani at about 4 pm. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of politeness even in the middle of the craziness. No water in the face, everyone who put paste on my face asked first, and my husband, who didn't want to get wet, was able to stay relatively dry on the walking path above me. Granted we were in a almost majority Thai crowd, not in a tourist area and not after dark.

16 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

Went out yesterday to play Songkrans in Udornthani at about 4 pm. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of politeness even in the middle of the craziness. No water in the face, everyone who put paste on my face asked first, and my husband, who didn't want to get wet, was able to stay relatively dry on the walking path above me. Granted we were in a almost majority Thai crowd, not in a tourist area and not after dark.

16 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

Went out yesterday to play Songkrans in Udornthani at about 4 pm. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of politeness even in the middle of the craziness. No water in the face, everyone who put paste on my face asked first, and my husband, who didn't want to get wet, was able to stay relatively dry on the walking path above me. Granted we were in a almost majority Thai crowd, not in a tourist area and not after dark.

My experience was the same- in fact several ladies asked me if I minded if they poured water on me- and I of course had no objection- and cool water was gently poured on my head and bottle- welcome in 38 of heay!

As ever many foreigners get aggressive with the water throwing and some locals react accordingly- add alcohol and it is an incident waiting to happen

Quality tourists and their quality Thai admirers. 😂

Scum riders of Pattaya at it again. nice.

Meanwhile, that's how to enjoy the Songkran heat 😉

2 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

I totally agree but why should a mob of scum bags resort to such violence, when a warning would've been more appropiate.

Can we be sure that there was no warning?

When I accidentally stop at a "motorbike reserved" lot, I get an angry look, some gestures and calling to move. I might not like it but will follow and not try to play tough.

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

If the foreign tourist squirted the motorcyclists with a water gun then he got what he deserved, only one thing though, why not just one Thai? Oh! don't answer that.

Because they're weak, socially impotent 'men' who don't face anyone head on.

5 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

What a bunch of animals live in LOS

yes, these are the same taxi drivers people seem to think are salt of the earth.

they're always itching for aggro, 100% all of the time it's only a couple of seconds away.

1 hour ago, rocketboy2 said:

Scum riders of Pattaya at it again. nice.

Absolute dreggs, i agree.

3 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Thailand's best days are far in the rear view...

Agree.

I came here 99' and even then i met guys that had been here 20 years and told me the best times had passed.

I barely venture out now, zero interest with the savages.

I greatly enjoy the Songkran water battles and rock the most powerful water rifles I can buy. However, I stick to the Predator rules of engagement. I never hose unarmed non-combatants. It's the right thing to do and it keeps you out of trouble.

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Shame on so many "so n' sos" who are quick to blame foreigners for the water fights, I have seen photos, and videos, as far back as 1954, of THAIS throwing buckets of water, also using a water hose, to spray people...foreigners did NOT bring water guns/canons, to Thailand, they are bought from Thais...Thais also use them, it is Thais that put ice in the water.... just what is wrong with you "so n' sos", always ready to blame foreigners, it really is sickening. I get water, in the face from Thais and foreigners.

Mods edit - reference to moderation removed.

6 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Some live here and some visit.

Short fused as we know them.

This Songkran degenerates to a hooligan festival.

Yesterday saw some clip from Phuket. Young foreigner spraying from a fire fighting hose connected to a pump on a water truck. Complete idiocy.

Some foreigners don't know that there are rules and limitations.

I remember that water throwing in the night is a no go.

In a sense you can understand t8taxi being upset they are stuck there having to put up with every yahooo both Thai and tourist spraying them.

I do though have to disagree with the fighting if they started

With soi 6 in the news so much it will be interesting to see how the bar owners and police sort this out.