Thai Police officer clarifies 'tourist-beating' video

[webfact]

Surat Police Officer Clarifies 'Tourist-Beating' Video

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- As netizens criticised the behaviour of a group of Thai nationals seen beating a foreign couple in a video, a senior police commander of Surat Thani province insisted there is more, or less, to the story.

The said video, posted on Youtube on 11 October, showed a couple, believed to be foreign tourists, being shouted and beaten by group of Thais in front of Surat Thani′s K Park Grand Hotel.

Several foreigners could be seen watching the incident nearby, while some tried to break up the fight, to no avail.

It was claimed that the tourist couple refused to pay the fare for a local taxi as the price was overcharged, which enraged the Thais and led to the fistfights. Many comments in the website, and other social network sites, berate the Thai nationals for their aggressive behaviours against the tourists.

However, Pol.Col. Suwat Suksri, the commander of Mueang Surat Thani Police station, told Khaosod that the context of the incident is different to what the netizens understand.

According to Pol.Col. Suwat, the fight took place on the afternoon of 7 April this year. The police responded to the incident and apprehended six suspects, three Thais and three Bahraini tourists.

The police reportedly fined each of them 200 baht for engaging in fights, while the tourists were fined additional 5,000 baht for properties damages.

The Bahraini couple, Pol.Col. Suwat were travelling with a mutual friend in Surat Thani for their Honeymoon. While the trio was waiting for a bus in front of the bus company office at the scene, the Bahraini woman reportedly talked to a Thai man, and her newly married husband became angry and started trashing the bus company office.

Fistfights soon followed, the police officer said, and only ended when the police arrived, arresting everyone involved.

"I can′t see the intention behind uploading the clip, because the incident happened long ago," Pol.Col. Suwat added.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6XoJu212zLs

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1UWTFNamN5Tmc9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-14

[Soutpeel]

Many comments in the website, and other social network sites, berate the Thai nationals for their aggressive behaviours against the tourists.

This part we know is basically true

While the trio was waiting for a bus in front of the bus company office at the scene, the Bahraini woman reportedly talked to a Thai man, and her newly married husband became angry and started trashing the bus company office.

This bit is a bit which is hard to believe, but Pol.Col. Suwat has his result, blame the farangs and make a bit of money on the side...

All is good in la la land for quality tourists

[Somtamnication]

200 baht fine for Thais, and 5000 baht for falangs. Win win for all!

[HeijoshinCool]

Fight?

I've seen better technique at daycare centers. Looks like Benny Hill meets Abbott and Costello.

[RickeyParkany]

ThanQ for the *clarification*...clears up everything. ;-} rap.

[Mangosteen1]

Seeing the video I don't really understand whats up(those Tourists and Thai same same) One thing with Thailand and south eastern Asia(major tourist places with greedy people) nr1, Rule you should always have encoded in your DNA, never ever forgot!!!When you jump into a taxi, haircut, what ever it might be. ALWAYS ask how much before you decide to buy/do it. Don't drop your guard cuz of that wide smile If you don't follow this simple rule. You can be lucky or really unlucky. they will come out with a fantasy price. They will lie to them self in their head that they are right. If the police finally comes: you will be the one that was stupid, cuz you didn't ask how much before. NO MATER how boring it is to ask. Always do it. It can save you a lot of trouble.

In BKK if you're unlucky you can have one of those gangster type of tuk-tuk or taxi drivers. here its most important to follow your code: ASK First. If he tells you don't worry you're my friend I give you good price, be prepared to fight when you reach your destination, if you don't want to pay. or jump out and take another one there are thousands. If you who look very Nordic blue eyed-white hair. I you tell them you are Russian. and try to look stiff like terminator with your sunglasses on. level of getting ripped of will recuse with high percentage.

You must understand that many taxi drivers could get fortunes in the old days if they found an afraid tourist and scared the crap out o him regarding the price, these gold digging times were before the compulsory taximeter many are angry because they used to earn a lot more before. even thai people got affected by their greedy in those days.

All those questions were you come from, what do you work with?Is to calculate how much money that can get from you. If you come ex: Scandinavia. They know you are friendly and 90% will not cause that much trouble just pay and move on. but if you say you're Russian or similar. they will think: hes blond looking but he will probably fight back and not agree to pay that kind amount. A reliable friend who lived in BKK long time. told me a lot regarding the "taxi bad boys"

There is a resent video of an American got killed in BKK:

(American hacked to death by taxi driver with samurai sword over $1.60 cab fare in Thailand)

[bunnydrops]

Someone once told me always be careful in a fight with a Thai. You are fighting to win, he maybe fighting to kill.

[BuddyPinkham]

Ahhhh! The Land of Smiles!

"I can′t see the intention behind uploading the clip, because the incident happened long ago," Pol.Col. Suwat added. HAHAHAHAHAHA! It just couldn't stay covered up this way! In other words!

[Crazy chef 1]

T.I.T...an as we all know Thai's are always innocent and not hot blooded.

[Soutpeel]

Seeing the video I don't really understand whats up(those Tourists and Thai same same) One thing with Thailand and south eastern Asia(major tourist places with greedy people) nr1, Rule you should always have encoded in your DNA, never ever forgot!!!When you jump into a taxi, haircut, what ever it might be. ALWAYS ask how much before you decide to buy/do it. Don't drop your guard cuz of that wide smile If you don't follow this simple rule. You can be lucky or really unlucky. they will come out with a fantasy price. They will lie to them self in their head that they are right. If the police finally comes: you will be the one that was stupid, cuz you didn't ask how much before. NO MATER how boring it is to ask. Always do it. It can save you a lot of trouble.

In BKK if you're unlucky you can have one of those gangster type of tuk-tuk or taxi drivers. here its most important to follow your code: ASK First. If he tells you don't worry you're my friend I give you good price, be prepared to fight when you reach your destination, if you don't want to pay. or jump out and take another one there are thousands. If you who look very Nordic blue eyed-white hair. I you tell them you are Russian. and try to look stiff like terminator with your sunglasses on. level of getting ripped of will recuse with high percentage.

You must understand that many taxi drivers could get fortunes in the old days if they found an afraid tourist and scared the crap out o him regarding the price, these gold digging times were before the compulsory taximeter many are angry because they used to earn a lot more before. even thai people got affected by their greedy in those days.

All those questions were you come from, what do you work with?Is to calculate how much money that can get from you. If you come ex: Scandinavia. They know you are friendly and 90% will not cause that much trouble just pay and move on. but if you say you're Russian or similar. they will think: hes blond looking but he will probably fight back and not agree to pay that kind amount. A reliable friend who lived in BKK long time. told me a lot regarding the "taxi bad boys"

There is a resent video of an American got killed in BKK:

(American hacked to death by taxi driver with samurai sword over $1.60 cab fare in Thailand)

Of course according to BiB,

this video was a misunderstanding as well, the taxi driver was mearly trying to show the tourist that good quality samurai swords are actually available in Thailand and while the the tourist was appreciating this fine quality sword, the tourist accidently waked into blade and suffering fatal injuries, and the BiB went on to say if the tourist had survived his wounds he would have been fined for damaging someone elses property and be given the dry cleaning bills for the taxi drivers clothes which were covered in blood due to this tourists un safe action...

[Samaaw]

"AMAZING THAILAND"

[JoeThePoster]

"I can′t see the intention behind uploading the clip, because the incident happened long ago," Pol.Col. Suwat added.

Need a bigger carpet, obviously too many things under it now.

[BeforeTigers]

I've been in my fair share of verbal altercations with taxi drivers and never had it escalate to anything physical.
Must be something in the way you carry yourself.

"Speak softly and carry a big stick", as they say.

[LuckyLew]

Do Thai people ever fight one on one?

They love ganging up on people 5 6 7 on 1

Fricken animals

Sounds like the tourists had to pay for damages to items that were

broken by their heads as the items were swung at them

Thai justice ...

More proof that 99% of taxi drives in Thailand are the scum of the earth

[lazeeboy]

whatever they did they didnt deserve to be lynched ..............

[A1Str8]

I thought he was going to say that it was the foreigners' fault.

[UncleJ]

200bt ?

I thought Thais can beat a tourist for 1000bt.

200bt is a real bargain.

[maengda]

Do Thai people ever fight one on one?

They love ganging up on people 5 6 7 on 1

Fricken animals

Sounds like the tourists had to pay for damages to items that were

broken by their heads as the items were swung at them

Thai justice ...

More proof that 99% of taxi drives in Thailand are the scum of the earth

Only in muay Thai fights.

Feel bad for the tourists. What a nice honeymoon. Remember that Thais don't consider them farang. They are other terms like kak kaow or kak dum. Who they dislike more than blonde hair blue eyed types. I have to admit some of them are racist. Please don't post some BS chart rating Thailand as most racist or violent.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[uty6543]

"AMAZING THAILAND"

That's an original comment. Never heard that one before .

[UncleJ]

I witnessed a dispute at a Thai owned business and the farang (very polite) demanded the police come to help settle the issue. The Thai manager went across the street and spoke to a policeman in a motorbike.

The police sent 6 motorbike taxi drivers instead and stood nearby.

Hoping to escalate the incident into a fight ....and make a few bucks?

I saw what was happening and spoke with the farang, explaining the police were not coming until the gang of Thais beat him to a pulp, then taken to jail to pay 10,000 or 20,000bt fine.

Edited October 14, 2013 by UncleJ

[Songhua]

I thought he was going to say that it was the foreigners' fault.

'the Bahraini woman reportedly talked to a Thai man ... the husband became enraged and started trashing the bus company'.

It's obvious, the Thais were just trying to put an end to the honeymooners' tiff and to prevent further damage.

[h90]

Many comments in the website, and other social network sites, berate the Thai nationals for their aggressive behaviours against the tourists.

This part we know is basically true

While the trio was waiting for a bus in front of the bus company office at the scene, the Bahraini woman reportedly talked to a Thai man, and her newly married husband became angry and started trashing the bus company office.

This bit is a bit which is hard to believe, but Pol.Col. Suwat has his result, blame the farangs and make a bit of money on the side...

All is good in la la land for quality tourists

That wouldn't be hard to believe if they would have called the police or hold them till the police arrives, without beating and then overcharge them xx.000 Baht for damage.

The overcharge story is also strange. And I have seen tourists from Muslim countries which were very aggressive and always the Thais tried to calm it down.

So I wouldn't jump to the usual "the police is wrong" without knowing more.

[expat888]

I have never had a problem with a taxi driver, tuk-tuk driver, or motorbike taxi when we settled on the business beforehand. If a taxi driver fails to start the meter, then I get out immediately. These guys know they can screw you if you negotiate after the trip is made, thus the arguments.

[robblok]

Its crazy... when there is a rape its also the victims fault, Thais are never wrong. It gets real boring in this xenophobic attitude. Is it that hard to admit when a fellow countryman is wrong. I could not care less if a Dutch guy does something wrong. Wrong is wrong and needs to be punished not brushed under the carpet.

[laurentbkk]

Anything safe you can do in Thailand nowadays ?

[laurentbkk]

I have never had a problem with a taxi driver, tuk-tuk driver, or motorbike taxi when we settled on the business beforehand. If a taxi driver fails to start the meter, then I get out immediately. These guys know they can screw you if you negotiate after the trip is made, thus the arguments.

yes I agree , when you confirm the price in advance there cannot be any problems.

[expat888]

Do Thai people ever fight one on one?

They love ganging up on people 5 6 7 on 1

Fricken animals

Sounds like the tourists had to pay for damages to items that were

broken by their heads as the items were swung at them

Thai justice ...

More proof that 99% of taxi drives in Thailand are the scum of the earth

Only in muay Thai fights.

Feel bad for the tourists. What a nice honeymoon. Remember that Thais don't consider them farang. They are other terms like kak kaow or kak dum. Who they dislike more than blonde hair blue eyed types. I have to admit some of them are racist. Please don't post some BS chart rating Thailand as most racist or violent.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Are these events on the rise or we just accepting that Thailand is the hub of farang haters? (had to get that "hub" thing in there)

[jaideejoe]

Always find the anti Thai hate stuff a bit tiring. Dealing with tuk tuk, motocyke and taxi drivers is simple. AGREE ON A PRICE BEFORE YOU LEAVE, then pay as promised, throw in a small tip if you can.

Westerners in Thailand tend to see things from a Western perspective, why not try putting on the other guys shoes for a second. He has a family, he works long hours often 7 days a week, he deals with drunk, angry trouble makers (many times farang) often. Be polite, learn a bit of the language, work out a deal before hand and then you'll have no problems, no fights, in fact the exact opposite you can have a nice conversation, and learn a bit about another persons life.

I have spent about 3 years in Thailand, taken hundreds of Taxis, motorcykes and tuk tuks...never once has there been an argument about money. Treat people with kindness and respect, work out the price before you depart and your good as gold.

[robblok]

Always find the anti Thai hate stuff a bit tiring. Dealing with tuk tuk, motocyke and taxi drivers is simple. AGREE ON A PRICE BEFORE YOU LEAVE, then pay as promised, throw in a small tip if you can.

Westerners in Thailand tend to see things from a Western perspective, why not try putting on the other guys shoes for a second. He has a family, he works long hours often 7 days a week, he deals with drunk, angry trouble makers (many times farang) often. Be polite, learn a bit of the language, work out a deal before hand and then you'll have no problems, no fights, in fact the exact opposite you can have a nice conversation, and learn a bit about another persons life.

I have spent about 3 years in Thailand, taken hundreds of Taxis, motorcykes and tuk tuks...never once has there been an argument about money. Treat people with kindness and respect, work out the price before you depart and your good as gold.

3 years.. wow.. your still in your honeymoon period.. wait a bit longer and all things become clear. I love this country but there is enough wrong. There are plenty of examples of Thai officials brushing things under the carpet to safe face. Remember the youtube of the Russian that was held at gunpoint and created a outrage. Instead of going after the guy with the gun the police went after the poster of the vid as it damaged Thailand.

Remember when the Dutch model was raped, the tourist minister went out of his way to blame the victim. Its a pattern if you can't see it please look better.

This country has many beautiful things but the Thai is never wrong attitude should change and scum like that should be punised.

I do what you do speak Thai and agree on prices before.. but guess what your NOT a tourist you need to know things like this, tourists come here and don't know. They come here because of the advertisement and promise of a care free holiday. But they get ripped off at many points without any protection. Its a big shame.

[jongkolkhoo]

Many comments in the website, and other social network sites, berate the Thai nationals for their aggressive behaviours against the tourists.

This part we know is basically true

While the trio was waiting for a bus in front of the bus company office at the scene, the Bahraini woman reportedly talked to a Thai man, and her newly married husband became angry and started trashing the bus company office.

This bit is a bit which is hard to believe, but Pol.Col. Suwat has his result, blame the farangs and make a bit of money on the side...

All is good in la la land for quality tourists

Not hard to believe if you have Bahraini husband who smashed a CCTV camera in front of his hotel room. he accuse that the hotel is spying on his wife when she opens the room door to put out the plates. They paid for the damaged camera. " blame the farang " no no no. We should "blame the Thai" for putting up the CCTV in the hotel room corridor and "blame the Thai " for not running away when Bahrain women/ girl talks to you. ( I am not thai ) .