Chaos Erupts on Pattaya Walking Street as Tunisian Man Takes Hostage, Attacks Locals

The Pattaya News notes this hour is well after the closure of entertainment venues and at this time the area is mostly deserted except for cleaners and people heading to the nearby islands at Bali Hai Pier.

Witnesses reported that Salmen, visibly intoxicated, locked his arm around the neck of a Thai woman and shouted, “Why did you steal my money?” as he brandished the jagged remains of a glass bottle. In a rampage that sent patrons of a nearby beer bar fleeing in panic, he stabbed multiple bystanders, injuring an unspecified number of locals. The suspect was also wearing only underwear when arrested, with it unclear when or why he lost the rest of his clothes.

Police arrived promptly and spent over an hour negotiating with the suspect in an effort to secure the woman’s release. Salmen, however, remained defiant, at one point fleeing into a nearby closed entertainment venue entrance with his hostage still in tow, further complicating the operation. Details of how authorities ultimately apprehended him remain unclear, but the police succeeded in bringing the situation under control after a tense standoff.

The incident appears to have been sparked by a personal problem. A 34-year-old woman, referred to only as Naen, who had encountered Salmen earlier at Pattaya Beach, told police that he had spent his last 500 baht on drinks at a beer bar prior to the outburst. She denied his accusations of theft, insisting she had not taken his money. Authorities suggest that Salmen’s heavy drinking may have fueled his aggressive behavior.

Several locals sustained injuries from the stabbings, though their conditions were unclear as of press time. The safety of the Thai woman held hostage was a primary concern throughout the situation.