In a disturbing incident captured on video and circulating widely on Thai social media, a foreign man fell victim to a brutal assault by two motorcycle taxi riders outside the Central Pattaya shopping mall. The video, shared by Facebook user เดฟร็อก ไทย on December 30, quickly garnered attention with a caption that read, “Pattaya motorcycle riders fight with a foreign tourist. #PattayaCountdown.”
The footage depicts the foreign man being punched, hit, and kicked by the two motorcycle taxi riders, while his attempts to defend himself prove futile. Despite the presence of what seems to be his girlfriend, who tries to intervene, the assailants persist in their aggression. Shockingly, onlookers at the scene choose not to intervene, adding an unsettling dimension to the incident.
The altercation unfolded on Pattaya Sai Song Road, just in front of the Central Pattaya shopping mall. The motorcycle riders involved in the assault were reportedly providing services to shoppers and residents of a nearby condominium. A subsequent interview with one of the riders, identified as 57-year-old Jong, shed light on the incident.
According to Jong, the confrontation erupted around 8 pm on December 30 when the foreign couple, presumably under the influence of alcohol, parked their motorcycle at the motorcycle taxi shelter. The riders requested them to leave, explaining that the shelter was not a parking area. Jong asserted that his colleagues maintained politeness throughout the encounter but claimed the foreign man pushed one of the riders to the ground, instigating the physical altercation.
As the video gained traction on social media, Thai netizens expressed their disapproval, criticizing the behavior of the motorcycle taxi riders. Some argued that such incidents tarnish the image of Thai tourism, raising concerns about the motives behind the attack.
Notably, officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station revealed they had not received any complaints regarding the altercation from either party involved. Indications suggested that both the foreign couple and the motorcycle taxi riders were seemingly willing to settle the matter privately, expressing no desire to pursue legal action against each other. The incident raises questions about the delicate balance between public safety and the potential impact on Thailand’s tourism reputation.
