A 40-year-old British man has been arrested in Pattaya after allegedly throwing acid on a 43-year-old female dormitory caretaker, leaving her seriously injured. The incident took place in central Pattaya, Chon Buri province, on 24 June 2026, and police say the victim is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

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According to police reports, the suspect, identified by authorities only as Richard, was taken into custody after being found arguing with another Thai woman. The victim, identified as Ms Wirawan, 43, suffered severe burns to her face and body after a liquid believed to be a corrosive substance was thrown at her at a dormitory on Soi Arunothai 2, Pattaya.

Witnesses said the man had earlier been walking through the dormitory building knocking on multiple doors while searching for a Thai woman, Ms Suporanee Penphon, 38, and a ladyboy friend. He reportedly became aggressive after failing to locate them. During a confrontation with the caretaker, he claimed he believed he was acting in self-defence and thought the liquid was cleaning fluid.

Police said Richard told officers he was trying to retrieve his passport, which he claimed had been taken by Ms Suporanee and her associate. The situation escalated when he allegedly picked up a container and threw its contents at the caretaker during an argument. Officers later confirmed that he had overstayed his permission to stay, which had expired in February 2026.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Ms Suporanee told police she had been in a relationship with Mr Richard for around five months. She said he had a history of violent behaviour, including property damage and repeated outbursts, and that tensions had escalated over his lost passport and disruptive conduct. The caretaker, Ms Wirawan, was reportedly not involved in the dispute.

Amarin reported that authorities are continuing to investigate the assault, passport dispute, and immigration offences.Richard is expected to face charges related to overstay and assault causing serious injury, while police are coordinating with the victim’s family to proceed with a formal complaint.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 24 June 2026

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20 years in Thai prison, minimum. That is what I think he deserves.

Hopefully we will get some more information about this human rubbish.

It´s seems like he is in a world of hurt right now. Very fitting for a stupid man like that.

Today it seems like it´s a British day. This guy gets arrested, and below we have another violent entity with the same nationality, and lastly, we have the fund raising forgot to renew my insurance bunch.

https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/british-man-assaults-municipal-officers-in-chiang-mai-r2459/

https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/family-seeks-additional-funds-to-bring-british-crash-victim-home-r2457/

Looking forward to the evening update of news. As it´s soccer times, I guess we have to call this a complete hat-trick

Brits are having a bad week.

Awful crime... throw the book at him and make him experience Thai justice. What a complete pile of manure.

A truly nasty thing to do to someone.

Jail and throw away the key for ever. P.O.S.

I hope the lady recovers as best one can.

31 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

According to police reports, the suspect, identified by authorities only as Richard...

Appropriate name there... guess we can use the shortened version now.

12 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

Appropriate name there... guess we can use the shortened version now.

...well, the shortened version would be "Rich".

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

...well, the shortened version would be "Rich".

No... it's Dick, unless you have been living under a rock, which is possible. Facepalm that you couldn't infer that with all your sanctimonious posts. Nice trolling, give you that though.

I rest my case, from the other similar topic earlier today.

Don't need statistic, only need to read the local news daily, every day of the month.

8 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

14 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

...well, the shortened version would be "Rich".

No... it's Dick, unless you have been living under a rock

On the contrary, it seems that you are the one who's been "living under a rock"; the shortened form of Richard is "Rich", "Dick" is a nickname, it is not a shortened form of "Richard"

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

On the contrary, it seems that you are the one who's been "living under a rock"; the shortened form of Richard is "Rich", "Dick" is a nickname, it is not a shortened form of "Richard"

Ritchie I thought. Dick is slang.

43 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

It´s seems like he is in a world of hurt right now. Very fitting for a stupid man like that.

Today it seems like it´s a British day. This guy gets arrested, and below we have another violent entity with the same nationality, and lastly, we have the fund raising forgot to renew my insurance bunch.

https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/british-man-assaults-municipal-officers-in-chiang-mai-r2459/

https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/family-seeks-additional-funds-to-bring-british-crash-victim-home-r2457/

Looking forward to the evening update of news. As it´s soccer times, I guess we have to call this a complete hat-trick

Did you wee yourself a little bit with excitement at the opportunity for a Brit-bash ?

11 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

On the contrary, it seems that you are the one who's been "living under a rock"; the shortened form of Richard is "Rich", "Dick" is a nickname, it is not a shortened form of "Richard"

Dick is a nickname derived from Richard. No one would be calling William or Robert "Dick"; they'd be calling him Bill or Bob.

So, as you point out, it's not a shortening, but it's still very closely linked through convention.

47 minutes ago, rocketboy2 said:

A truly nasty thing to do to someone.

Jail and throw away the key for ever. P.O.S.

I hope the lady recovers as best one can.

Indeed - a truly nasty piece of work.

Sadly a Thai guy (pop star) only got 2 years prison for killing two people while driving drunk - a very low sentence for such a crime. In this case too - one would hope justice serves our extremely severe sentencing for such a vile attack.

I think everyone would be comfortable with

a) Large amounts of compensation paid to the family (though Dick seems rather poor if he's staying in such a pit).

b) A lengthy penalty in Thai Prison (don't let him get off with deportation).

c) Following sentence served - then deportation and ban

People like this who have committed such heinous crimes should have their passports revoked (by home nation) - if they can't behave - they have should have no right to the freedom and privilege to travel.

From the initial story "Witnesses told police that the foreign man became angry after being challenged and left the building. He allegedly returned a short time later carrying a container filled with what appeared to be chemical acid. He then walked to the reception counter and threw the liquid directly at Ms Wirawan before fleeing the scene."

But now his story "During a confrontation with the caretaker, he claimed he believed he was acting in self-defence and thought the liquid was cleaning fluid."

I hope there is plenty CCTV to clarify the actual story.

7 minutes ago, LennyW said:

From the initial story "Witnesses told police that the foreign man became angry after being challenged and left the building. He allegedly returned a short time later carrying a container filled with what appeared to be chemical acid. He then walked to the reception counter and threw the liquid directly at Ms Wirawan before fleeing the scene."

But now his story "During a confrontation with the caretaker, he claimed he believed he was acting in self-defence and thought the liquid was cleaning fluid."

I hope there is plenty CCTV to clarify the actual story.

It is a developing story, which witnesses give different accounts. That is why updates are posted when police give further details.

Often details change and ate update as things become clearly, that is simply reality.

Probably a Starmer supporter who became really pissed when his team couldn't even beat Ghana!

Deport him on all 4 counts of stupidity.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

People like this who have committed such heinous crimes should have their passports revoked (by home nation) - if they can't behave - they have should have no right to the freedom and privilege to travel.

That's a really good point. They (UK Gov) should revoke his passport - and they should do that to all Brits who commit serious crimes oversees. But I bet they won't and would instead say any British Citizen who applies for a passport, fills in the application properly and pays the fee is entitled to one.

2 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

That's a really good point. They (UK Gov) should revoke his passport - and they should do that to all Brits who commit serious crimes oversees. But I bet they won't and would instead say any British Citizen who applies for a passport, fills in the application properly and pays the fee is entitled to one.

But then he causes problems at home.

Pattaya really does attract the worst of the worst farang kee nok doesn't it? I mean you don't read about this kind of behaviour of Brits on holidays in other countries, at least not on such a frequent basis (except yobs on airplanes and travelling to football matches).

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

But then he causes problems at home.

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

But then he causes problems at home.

Then they can lock him up there at HM's pleasure..

If the victim survives, her life from this point on will be constant pain, mental anguish and numerous operations.

The local police in Pattaya have failed to prosecute a number of serious assaults over the years having arrested the perpetrator. Assailants have been able to catch a flight home after a negotiated payoff.

I hope this does not happen here.

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

20 years in Thai prison, minimum. That is what I think he deserves.

Hopefully we will get some more information about this human rubbish.

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

20 years in Thai prison, minimum. That is what I think he deserves.

Hopefully we will get some more information about this human rubbish.

How about life in prison?

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

Pattaya really does attract the worst of the worst farang kee nok doesn't it? I mean you don't read about this kind of behaviour of Brits on holidays in other countries, at least not on such a frequent basis (except yobs on airplanes and travelling to football matches).

You're reading the wrong papers if you've missed all the bolshy Brits creating mayhem in the Balearics and getting drunk before getting onboard, starting fist fights and biting cabin crew on their cheap Ryanair trips to and from their squalid government housing in Cleckheaton.

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Pattaya really does attract the worst of the worst farang kee nok doesn't it? I mean you don't read about this kind of behaviour of Brits on holidays in other countries, at least not on such a frequent basis (except yobs on airplanes and travelling to football matches).

Much as I don’t like your posts, you have a point . I’ve been in the busy tourist business for over 40 years and I’ve never experienced these problems . Not with Brits or other nationalities. Benidorm has mainly drunks and fighting after the discos. Pick pocket and scams being the worst.,

This didn’t happen in Thailand before ! Why now ? the last 5 years plus , it’s a race to jump off balconies, violence and criminals.

Something must be done to stop this crazy behavior. I blame the cheap flights, cheap accommodation, cheap booze and drugs ,cheap girls, cheap food. My first ticket to Bangkok cost me 8000 french francs. Economy, thats around 1900 euros !!!That was a lot of money and many months of hard savings. Nowadays, from what I read, so many cheap flights to be had. Everyone can live on peanuts here if they wish. Thus, so many raving idiots, drunks, druggies and animals like this Richard can easily get to Thailand.

The police have to go down hard on this type, and publish it in every newspaper and FB rubbish sites. Maybe make them think twice. It won’t stop good people coming, on the contrary.

2 hours ago, bdenner said:

Probably a Starmer supporter who became really pissed when his team couldn't even beat Ghana!

Deport him on all 4 counts of stupidity.

Is this an attempt at humor?

Best you use laughing emojis if so, it would help us understand your post better.

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Did you wee yourself a little bit with excitement at the opportunity for a Brit-bash ?

Nah, that time is long gone. If that were the case, I would have a mega laundry, as this is a very frequent issue.

Just a bit disappointed that it didn´t come another one evening. However, I will share the morning news with you. 😊

He sounds like a bit of a loose cannon

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A 40-year-old British man has been arrested in Pattaya after allegedly throwing acid on a 43-year-old female dormitory caretaker

What a horrible person, looks like he also trashed the hotel lobby.