Pattaya, Thailand – A 20-year-old female gas station attendant was left with head injuries requiring two stitches after she tried to stop a customer who filled up his motorcycle and sped off without paying.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:50 p.m. on May 11th at a petrol station on Sukhumvit Road (inbound toward Pattaya), in Moo 6.
According to the victim, known by the pseudonym Miss Poy, the customer arrived on a motorcycle and requested a full tank of Gasohol 95 V. She became suspicious when he repeatedly raised his hands in a traditional Thai wai (greeting/pay respect) gesture toward her. After completing the fueling, she asked if he would pay by scanning a QR code. He nodded in agreement.
Miss Poy turned to inform the cashier, at which point the customer quickly mounted his motorcycle, started the engine, and performed the wai gesture toward her two more times before accelerating away. In a moment of shock and panic, she instinctively reached out and grabbed the rear of the motorcycle to stop him.
The powerful acceleration dragged her along before she lost her balance and fell heavily, striking her head on the ground. The suspect fled the scene immediately.
Speaking to The Pattaya News reporters on the afternoon of May 12th, Miss Poy appeared with a visibly swollen face, a large laceration on her head that required two stitches, and extensive bruising across her body.
“I’ve been working at the gas station for more than three years and I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” she said. “This is the first time in my life. It will stay with me for a long time.”
She added that she tried to let go of the motorcycle but was unable to release her grip in time due to the sudden force.
Miss Poy has urged police to track down and arrest the suspect so he can face legal charges.
Police are reviewing security camera footage and are investigating the case as theft and causing injury.
