PATTAYA, Thailand – A viral video showing a chaotic brawl between Thai locals and foreign tourists in Pattaya on Soi 6 prompted authorities to respond this evening by meeting with Thai nationals involved.
On April 15, 2025, at 5:26 p.m., Pattaya City Police, led by Deputy Investigator Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Sapanon and Pol. Lt. Col. Suradech Imjai, alongside Banglamung District officials Nattawat Sophonsewatsilp and Tharit Jancharoon, summoned two security guards, a bar manager, and a female employee for questioning. Identified as Non, 36, and Nik, 37 (security guards), Prae, 37 (manager), and May, 33 (server), they provided CCTV footage as evidence.
The guards, who work as independent contractors for dozens of bars on Soi 6 and are not tied to a specific bar or group, admitted to being in the viral video, explaining that the altercation stemmed from two heavily intoxicated foreign tourists allegedly harassing female staff. According to their account, the tourists behaved aggressively, making inappropriate advances toward various bar staff. Despite efforts to escort them out and calm the situation, the tourists allegedly refused to comply, grabbed staff members against their will, got into an altercation with the female manager, provoked others, and even allegedly poured beer on a guard’s head.
Tensions escalated as the tourists continued to disrupt nearby patrons playing with water, eventually challenging the guards to a “Thai boxing” fight. Unable to tolerate further provocation, one guard struck a tourist in the face, causing him to stagger and fall. The situation spiraled into a melee involving both Thai and foreign onlookers, resulting in the widely shared video
The guards expressed regret for their lack of restraint, apologizing to the public while urging consideration of the tourists’ behavior. There were no reports of major injuries from the brawl and the foreign tourists involved left on their own power.
Ms. May recalled to The Pattaya News team being allegedly physically grabbed and lifted by one tourist, who was not a customer, causing her head to hit an air conditioning unit. Another new employee was also harassed and is now too traumatized to return to work. CCTV footage shared appeared to also back up her statements.
Pol. Lt. Col. Arus stated that evidence is being gathered to ensure fairness, noting that the foreign tourists have not yet filed a complaint or come forward but police are now searching for them to hear their side of the story. Meanwhile, Banglamung officials and Pattaya police inspected the bar as a gesture of accountability which gave a public apology to authorities, the public, and the tourists involved.
As of press time, Pattaya police are urging the tourists involved to come forward to explain their version of events and continuing to investigate.
