Pattaya —
A viral video captured nightclub security guards in Pattaya allegedly brutally assaulting an intoxicated man. The video sparked outrage over alleged excessive violence in a world-class tourist city.
On January 2nd, 2025, a Facebook user posted a video clip in the group “Bolt Drive Pattaya รวมคนขับพัทยา,” which has 31,000 members. The clip captured a violent altercation involving 3-4 men wearing vests resembling nightclub security guards assaulting a heavily intoxicated Thai man, who was around 30 years old.
The guards attacked the man, leaving his face bloodied and causing him to collapse in the middle of the road. They also seemingly were indifferent to many tourists and locals walking by. The 3-minute and 55-second clip was accompanied by the caption: “One hit, and he’s bleeding. I don’t know what happened before this, but this was excessive.”
At 3:00 PM on the same day, The Pattaya News reporters interviewed Mr. Ton (alias), a 29-year-old motorcycle taxi driver for Bolt and the person who recorded the incident. He explained that the event occurred around 5 AM on January 1st near the entrance of Soi Lengkee in Central Pattaya.
Mr. Ton had gone to the area to pick up a customer via the app. While waiting, he called the customer several times before a woman answered, saying, “I’m bringing the customer over. Please wait.”
Shortly after, Mr. Ton heard loud arguments from a nearby nightclub but couldn’t identify the venue. He then saw his customer, a heavily intoxicated Thai man in his 30s or 40s, being assisted by a Thai woman carrying his belongings. As they approached, a group of 3-4 men, presumed to be nightclub security guards, followed and shouted profanities at them.
At one point, the intoxicated man stumbled and fell to the ground. While attempting to get up, one guard allegedly rushed in and kicked him in the face, causing him to collapse with a bloodied mouth. A woman tried to stop the guards, while the assailant removed his vest and walked away.
Two remaining guards continued to threaten the victim, and one even leapt to kick him, causing him to crash into a metal barrier and fall in the middle of the street. The guards attempted further attacks, but nearby motorcycle taxi drivers stepped in to stop them and called emergency services at 1669. The suspects fled, and the injured man’s companion canceled her ride request with Mr. Ton.
Mr. Ton stated that he posted the clip to raise awareness about controlling emotions and the excessive use of violence against defenseless individuals, which he believes tarnishes Pattaya’s image as a word-class tourist destination.
This comes only days after a Chinese tourist filed a police report claiming he was attacked by nightclub guards after a dispute involving a broken glass on Walking Street, as reported here. Police were also investigating that incident.
