Was this guy making a citizen's arrest, and did he use unnecessary force? A lot has already been said about this story. But I think it's worth considering what might now happen given that the women has reported the matter to police. What follows is Information I obtained from the Web. It advises that citizens' arrest is legal in Thailand, but it is strictly regulated. Under the Thai Criminal Procedure Code, private citizens are permitted to arrest someone, but only under specific circumstances and without the use of excessive force. Private citizens are legally authorized to detain an individual under Section 79 of the Thai Criminal Procedure Code. This allows citizens to act as the arresting party when a "flagrant offense" (a crime caught in the act or immediately after) is committed in their presence, or when the suspect is attempting to flee. The crime must be a flagrant offense: The offense must be caught in the act or have just been committed with clear evidence, weapons, or witnesses. The arrest can only be executed to prevent the suspect from escaping or to hand them over to the authorities. If the offense is minor (usually punishable by a fine only) and the suspect refuses to provide their name or address, an arrest may be permissible until their identity is established. If you make a citizens' arrest, Thai law requires that the suspect be handed over to a police officer or brought to the nearest police station immediately. You must not hold the person indefinitely or take the law into your own hands. Attempting a citizens' arrest comes with serious legal risks if the procedure is not followed perfectly. If you use unnecessary force, or if the initial arrest does not meet the strict legal criteria of a flagrant offense, you can face criminal charges for unlawful confinement, assault, or kidnapping. The detained individual can sue for damages if their rights are violated during an improper detention.
