Pattaya —
A Bolt driver in Pattaya allegedly got into a physical altercation with a heavily intoxicated and aggressive Irish passenger, who also injured a volunteer police officer, according to the Pattaya Police.
The incident took place at 9:20 PM on August 10th, 2024. Pattaya Police and rescue services received a report of a brawl occurring inside Soi Chalermphrakiat 19, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. They immediately responded to the scene.
There, authorities found bystanders trying to restrain a foreign man identified only as Mr. P, an Irish national aged approximately in his fifties. He was found injured with blood on his face, a swollen eye socket, and a head wound. Another injured party, Mr. Nipon Thepmanee, 52, a volunteer police officer, was found with a serious head injury and in a semi-conscious state. The rescue services provided first aid to both injured individuals before transporting them to a nearby hospital.
According to Pattaya Police, the altercation involved a Bolt driver, Mr. Jaemsaiwai Jaemsuwan, 43. He was found waiting at the scene to give a statement to the authorities.
Mr. Jaemsaiwai explained that the injured foreigner had hired him to take the man from Soi Buakhao to Soi Khao Noi. However, the foreigner, who was accompanied by an unidentified Thai woman, had allegedly accidentally set the wrong location on the map, setting it instead at Soi Chalermphrakiat 19.
Mr. Jaemsaiwai then clarified to the man that the destination was incorrect but still offered to take him to Soi Khao Noi, as he lived there as well. However, during the ride, the foreigner, who was allegedly heavily intoxicated, repeatedly insulted Mr. Jaemsaiwai and made threatening gestures as if he would slap Mr. Jaemsaiwai’s head, according to Jaemsaiwai’s statement.
Mr. Jaemsaiwai eventually decided to stop the car and told the Thai woman accompanying the foreigner that he would not continue the ride and suggested they find another vehicle.
The foreigner then allegedly reacted angrily, slammed the car door, and began shouting at Mr. Jaemsaiwai. He also allegedly grabbed Mr. Jaemsaiwai by the collar, breaking his gold necklace, prompting Mr. Jaemsaiwai to lose his temper and retaliate by punching the Irish man in the face, which escalated into a further physical scuffle. All of this information was from Jaemsaiwai’s police statement.
A nearby volunteer police officer who had been on the street also tried to intervene but was then allegedly punched unconscious by the foreigner, the Bolt driver claimed.
Eyewitnesses, who asked to remain anonymous, later reported that Mr. Nipon (the volunteer police officer) did indeed attempt to stop the fight between the foreigner and the Bolt driver but was met with the foreigner’s aggressive response, who allegedly said, “I want to fight,” before striking him. Multiple bystanders then forcefully managed to restrain the foreigner and called further police assistance.
Pattaya Police took all involved parties into custody for further investigation at the Pattaya Police Station. They ensured that all will be treated fairly and they will listen to all sides involved in the situation.
The Irish man involved did not immediately release a statement to the press.
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