PATTAYA – An altercation occurred in Pattaya City on Soi Six over the past weekend involving security personnel working for independent bars from an undisclosed entertainment venue and three foreign nationals. The incident, which took place at 5:26 p.m. on Friday, May 24th, 2024, was captured on video and disseminated through social media, going viral.
The videos, each lasting approximately one minute, depict the security guards engaging in a physical confrontation with the foreign individuals. The footage shows one unidentified tourist in a white shirt seemingly being attacked by the guards, followed by a second tourist in a gray shirt who intervenes and is subsequently assaulted.
As the videos may disturb sensitive readers, we have decided not to show them here, although they are widely available online.
One unidentified foreign tourist appears to be kicked in the head by a guard while lying injured on the ground at the end of the fight, which caused significant discourse and commentary on both Thai and English social media. His condition is still to be confirmed by police publicly as of press time.
According to a statement from a woman identified only as Ms. Samorn, the cashier at the venue (Whose name was withheld by police pending a further investigation), the conflict arose from a disagreement over a drink bill. Three foreign customers were involved, with two settling their bills and the third allegedly refusing to pay.
The dispute escalated when the unpaid bill led to a verbal and physical confrontation once security arrived at the venue. One of the foreign customers allegedly attacked security first after causing a scene at the venue and abusing both staff and customers, according to the venue staff, but police are still reviewing CCTV footage and evidence to support this.
Pattaya police have been notified of the incident and are conducting a complete investigation, The Pattaya News has been told, after significant attention on social media.
However, no formal complaints or police reports have been filed as of press time by the foreign nationals or any other party involved as of press time.
Regardless, Pattaya authorities are in the process of identifying the security personnel and foreign customers featured in the videos and are collecting evidence to proceed with the case. They plan to summon both parties to discuss the situation and reach a suitable conclusion for both parties.
Despite significant concern and rumors online, there were no official public reports of the injuries involved in the altercation.
Further details will be reported as the investigation continues.
