Foreigner Assaulted At Bangkok BTS Station By Security Guard - Police Launch Investigation

[webfact]

Police Launches Investigation into Foreigner Assault on BTS Case

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok police is planning to question all parties involved in a video clip posted on Youtube showing a foreigner assaulted by BTS security guards.

Superintendent of the Thonglor Police Station, Police Colonel Rattasak Raksalam has reported that all parties involved in the video clip recently posted on Youtube showing a foreigner assaulted by BTS security guards at the Prompong Station will be summoned for questioning.

Rattasak said both sides have already filed a complaint with the police.

The investigation team will also try to track down the person who posted the clip to serve as a key witness.

Rattasak noted that the incident was likely caused by miscommunication.

President of the Bangkok Mass Transit System or BTS Arnat Arpapirom indicated that from an initial investigation, the foreigner was trying to board a train with his daughter's balloons which is against the BTS's security protocol.

BTS officials told the foreigner he had to abandon the balloons if he wants to go on the train but he refused, saying that he was let on the BTS with the balloons earlier in the day.

Arnat claimed the foreigner then started to get aggressive, kicking at trash cans, resulting in security guards being called in to subdue him.

The video clip showed the foreigner and BTS officials having a heated argument at the front of the ticket collection machine before he was clubbed in the head by the guards' baton.

The man is then seen going through the ticket collection machine, clutching some balloons in his hand and with blood dripping on his face.

The police will have to determine whether a crime has been committed as both sides have lodged a complaint.

The BTS will also launch a disciplinary inquiry on its employees.

In any case, the company is planning to compensate the victim, which will be unrelated to the police's investigation.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-22

for a previous topic in General forum:

Does Anyone Know

http://www.thaivisa....es-anyone-know/

[canuckamuck]

At least BTS sees it for what it was and is doing the right thing.

[AsianAdvisor]

It gives a whole new meaning to going clubbing in Bangkok!

On a serious note, it does worry me on the level of gratuitous violence that I am now reading about by Thais on farangs.

[Crushdepth]

The guard filed a complaint after assaulting a passenger with a baton? Only after he found out he was about to be crucified via Youtube, I'll bet.

[Tatsujin]

From what I saw of the video and read elsewhere, it's the guys own fault. He tried to do something that isn't allowed, got abusive, and got what was to be expected when you get abusive with security/police.

[laurentbkk]

Its not very clear on the video what happen actually ... I will say ..those security guard act like if they were policeman (come on they are only "guard" LOL) and maybe the foreigner was disturb by the heat and the baloons of the kid. Miscommunication for sure as those guards hardly speak english. I dont think its necessary to publish this kind of stuff no ?

[yougivemebaby]

Sounds like it was excessive force on a farang who didn't want to follow the rules. They should have just called the police if they were that hard up about not letting the guy on the train with the balloons. Give him a ticket not bash his skull .. <deleted>

[shawndoc]

The article says in the video you can see him getting clubbed, however it appears he already has blood on his face when it starts and I don't see him taking any blows to the head before going through the turnstiles.

[yougivemebaby]

I think that guy was off his meds if he was that pissed about balloons .. JHCHRIST

[Spartans]

It gives a whole new meaning to going clubbing in Bangkok!

On a serious note, it does worry me on the level of gratuitous violence that I am now reading about by Thais on farangs.

Although I understand your point, however having farangs looking down on Thailand does not help the situation as well. It's quite often expression used in this forum such as "TIT" or other expressions that reflect that farangs expect Thailand to be exactly like their country. The truth is that its not and it won't be. But I guess in this case, its a mixed between language problems and the faring thinking "this is another TIT where people make up their own rule as they goes" when the security guard tried to stop him.

[kaysamui]

All I can see on this Video is, that the Farang assault the security Guard, hit him in the face, so his hat fell off, and when the second security guards appears, he get kicked by the other Farang.

imo, the Farang had not the correct ticket and didn't wanted to accept the punishment for that !

Why is it twisted against the Thai here ? it's clear visible, who assaulted who: Farang assaulted Thai !

this kind of news and comments sucks.

[softgeorge]

He appeared to be just a normal normal father who simply put his daughter through the gates and then tried to catch up with her. I think the security gaurd has totally over reacted to what was nothing in the 1st instance. Maybe the farang will have to pay 200K in damages for causing the Thai to loose face on You Tube and all will be forgotten.

[nicolas18]

If you look at the video, he was already bleeding while he was on the other side of the gates, where no security guard is present.

On top of that, he does seem like an aggressive a-hole.

Seeing how the guy seemed to want to punch the security guard, if I were the BTS guy, I would have clubbed him in the head as well.

But, as always, the farang apologetist/"thais hate farangs" brigade will soon swarm this topic.

[CMSteve]

From the video it looks like the foreigner just figured he was going to do what he wants... although, I understand that he was just trying to take his child's balloons on-board, rules are rules. Balloons haven't been allowed on the BTS for a while now. They blocked him from using his card at the turnstiles, so he decides to use the handicap entrance. Then the guard tries to stop him and take the balloon, and this guy goes crazy.

Unfortunately, this makes all of us foreigners look bad. I hope that any Thai's reading this will recognize that we are not all like this, this is just one bad apple in the bunch.

[garvin123g]

The clip almost looks set up..but maybe just me. Also curious they are looking to find who posted the original Video on You Tube

[Curt1591]

The only videos I have seen are after the fact. The father is already bleeding.

A good smack on the head does have the tendency to release a bit of adrenaline.

Edited March 22, 2012 by Curt1591

[infernalman7]

To think of it, people like him just give us Farangs a bad name.

How hard is it to be a bit more tolerable and understanding?

He's a teacher <deleted>.

[Xonax]

I don´t really see why he shouldn´t be allowed to carry the balloons on the train, when it´s no crime to bring a dirty bicycle.

I feel sad for the little girl, who had to witness the violence from both her dad and the security guard.

[mickjn]

Nothing in it

[chickin]

Be carful AsianAdvisor, the truth won't be tolerated around this place for long.

True, the guy was getting out of line, but this is clearly abuse. The rent-a-cop should not use his baton unless he, or someone else, is being attacked. He should lose is job and be fined and imprisoned. Sad that so many foreigners support this blatant abuse.

[OliverPludra]

it's clear visible, who assaulted who: Farang assaulted Thai !

Absolutely agree...

[canuckamuck]

All I can see on this Video is, that the Farang assault the security Guard, hit him in the face, so his hat fell off, and when the second security guards appears, he get kicked by the other Farang.

imo, the Farang had not the correct ticket and didn't wanted to accept the punishment for that !

Why is it twisted against the Thai here ? it's clear visible, who assaulted who: Farang assaulted Thai !

this kind of news and comments sucks.

How is it possible to have the wrong ticket, before you go through the turnstiles on the way to the trains?

[petedk]

How come the Immigration Official at the airport who slapped the security guard's ears was beaten up in the same way?

IMO that was a far more serious offence.

[OxfordWill]

Scary that he would be hit on the head with a young child in tow.

[canuckamuck]

If you look at the video, he was already bleeding while he was on the other side of the gates, where no security guard is present.

On top of that, he does seem like an aggressive a-hole.

Seeing how the guy seemed to want to punch the security guard, if I were the BTS guy, I would have clubbed him in the head as well.

But, as always, the farang apologetist/"thais hate farangs" brigade will soon swarm this topic.

The assault had already occureed before the start of that video. Of course he was pissed off after that, how would you act?

[jacko45k]

From what I saw of the video and read elsewhere, it's the guys own fault. He tried to do something that isn't allowed, got abusive, and got what was to be expected when you get abusive with security/police.

Yeah it was sort of my take on it too. Aren't these trains packed enough? Surely balloons won't help........

The security guard may have been quick with the baton (although we didn't see that) but it is supreme arrogance to ignore the rules.

Edited March 22, 2012 by jacko45k

[walterego]

Typical, I have seen the same type of thugery from Transit inspectors in Australia. This type of violence should under no circumstances be condoned. The man is clearly non hostile and is trying to understand why he has become a victim of such unforgiviable agression.

So much for a happy day out on the train with girl and kids. -sack them immediately.

[maccaroni man]

I have been on the BTS many times and have seen signs posted no drinks, smoking or food but i do not recall a sign banning balloons. i have had the security gaurds in my face when my son went through and then came back out to get me and the gaurd saw him go through with me claiming he had not paid, of course i showed the ticket but he was a little pratt which did not sit well with me TIT or not! my wife calmed things down or maybe i would have been clubbed too.

[Eagle60]

I have used the BTS since its inception and never had a problem. If someone says please don't take balloons on the train. I would say "oh okay no problem. I will get a taxi". I fully understand why on a crowded train you don't want balloons stuck in your face. Confrontation here is very easy to avoid and if you act politely and calmly you won't have a problem; unless very unlucky and a victim of crime. Crime figures here are not that high contrary to scaremongers and you are just as likley to be beaten up or knifed in the UK. And I believe I am right in saying there are 30,000 victims of gun crime every year in USA (not to dig my American friends as I love America-just stating a few facts) Check the stats.

If someone says you cannot go on the train, why would you act like this chap and infront of a young girl who I presume his is daughter continue down a path of confrontation. Avoid conflict don't head towards it. He will not accept it and it is in the video to see. You walk away politely and calmly. It is there country and their rules. We are guests here and act like it. What gives us any right to tell them we won't adhere to their rules or act politely...sorry this looks very much like an aggressive foreigner acting in an arrogant fashion. These are the rules and act acordingly or bog off back to your own country if you don't like it. However anyone acts, why would you so obviously charge the security guy and then still try to go up the stairs demanding that you have the right to break the rules. Sorry....I feel sorry for the security guard, little girl and all involved in a silly situation....We are guests here and have no right to dictate or demand or tell them we won't obey their regulations....so whatever the facts are, it is irrelevant...break the rules or disobey them and you will come a cropper. If you do not like that and wish to live in a country where you can abuse low paid workers, break the laws and ignore people in authority then go back to UK or whatver country you are from....sorry but the truth hurts sometimes as this poor guy found out...He may well be a nice guy but nice guys can be wrong too..we all have our moments.....hope they can shake hands and apologise Put it down to a bad day !

Edited March 22, 2012 by davidcc

[oed86]

Of course anybody could go nuts and aggressive all of a sudden, farang or thai. I sympathize with this farang man a little bit that he had unluckily taken the 'thai way' of relaxing certain regulations for granted, had taken his supposed 'farang's' privilege for granted. BTS security must be tight and watchful nowadays, esp. after the valentines bomb event.

The public opinion among thais, however, is favorable to the BTS security guard. (I've read some thai forums) Couple this blatant violence on the farang's part with the thai tendency to find cunning ways of promoting national self-esteem often by inventing a neccessary evil, the matter could go easily out of hand... Especially the mutual prejudices that's been going on between thai/farang or western/asian thing could easily go out of proportion.

The best thing the farang man should do now is to admit his fault and apologize. He can even issue some sort of joint statement with the BTS, they will be more than happy to be of farang man's service. It will be a happe ending for everyone. But I don't daresay it will ever happen.