Pattaya —
A South Korean tourist filed a report to Pattaya police in the early hours of May 30th, claiming he was kicked in the face twice by an exotic animal exhibitor. The tourist lost three teeth after getting kicked.
The incident took place at the Runway Market on Pattaya Second Road. The victim, Mr. Munsu Park, a 38-year-old South Korean national, along with his older brother and girlfriend, traveled to the Pattaya Police Station around 2:06 AM to file an assault report against the Thai owner of an exotic animal show.
According to Ms. May, the victim’s girlfriend, Mr. Park was visiting Pattaya for the first time. The three of them were walking through the Runway Market and spotted an exotic animal show. Mr. Park stopped to watch and take pictures with his phone.
However, the owner of the animal show became upset that the tourist was taking pictures and demanded he stop. An argument ensued, and Mr. Park allegedly tossed the owner a 100 baht banknote, Ms. May said.
This enraged the owner even more. The owner threw the money on the ground and reportedly proceeded to kick Mr. Park in the face twice. The tourist fell to the ground, sustaining three broken teeth, two loose teeth, and profuse bleeding. The three of them decided to file a complaint against the exhibitor after the assault.
Meanwhile, the owner of the animal show, whose name was not revealed by police, claimed that he was angered by the tourist throwing money at him. He perceived it as disrespectful, especially because money in Thailand contains a portrait of His Royal Majesty The King, which caused him to kick the tourist in a fit of anger. He did not think about the consequences at that moment, but he now felt remorse and would willingly face the legal repercussions through the justice system
The incident is under investigation. It is unclear if the suspect offered to compensate for the damages to the Korean tourist.
It is also unclear if there will be any investigative action towards the exotic animal handler in regards to ensuring if he has the proper permits and licenses to display the animals.
This wasn’t the first incident of a tourist kicked in the head after a dispute this week, as we previously reported on this widely shared incident on Soi Six between tourists and guards.
