Pattaya, Thailand – Pattaya City Police have called in security guards involved in a widely circulated video showing a violent group assault on an American tourist in Pattaya Soi 6, a popular area lined with beer bars and nightlife venues.
The incident, which sparked significant online criticism, occurred on the evening of February 2nd, 2026. A video shared widely on social media depicted four security personnel repeatedly kicking and punching a foreign man in what appeared to be from the video perspective an unprovoked attack.
On February 3rd, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Saphanon, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Pattaya City Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Suradej Imchai and Pol. Lt. Col. Thanes Saenghiran, summoned three of the involved security guards for questioning. A fourth individual has not yet reported to police.
The victim, a 31-year-old U.S. citizen, told police that around 6:00 p.m. on February 2nd, he was drinking at an unidentified bar in Pattaya Soi 6 when he said he got into an argument with contracted security staff over a payment related issue between staff. He said several guards then attacked him, striking his face and body and causing injuries.
Three of the security guards, Mr. Thanwa (also known as “Seua”), 30, Mr. Khwanchai, 43, and Mr. Kanokchai, 22, provided their account during questioning. They claimed the foreign man had consumed drinks at the bar but refused to pay the 780-baht bill. Despite the bar’s attempts to facilitate payment via scan, he reportedly declined. When staff approached to discuss the matter, the situation escalated.
The man the fled the premises toward the beach, and the guards followed to bring him back, leading to a physical confrontation in which both sides sustained injuries. The guards expressed regret over the incident but maintained that the tourist had behaved inappropriately. The American man stated after the guards statements to police that he had paid the drink bill, showing a payment slip on his banking app, but said there was a further payment dispute that escalated.
Pol. Lt. Kriangkrai Kaewphiphop, Deputy Investigation Officer at Pattaya City Police Station, confirmed that officers are currently attempting mediation under the Dispute Mediation Act. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the case will proceed through formal legal channels for the court to decide. Authorities explained that the investigation will be conducted fairly and transparently for all involved parties.
