A security guard at a popular nightspot on Bangkok’s Khaosan Road has been fired for handcuffing a foreign customer, then slapping him (twice) with a bottle. The guard, named only as Thongchai, was sacked after a video of the incident went viral and provoked outrage on social media.
According to a Coconuts report, Club Khaosan management have issued a statement, in which they confirm the guard was fired. They add that Thongchai has been arrested and Club Khaosan has filed assault charges on behalf of their customer, who they are trying to trace in order to offer him compensation.
“The actions of the security staff were unacceptable by any means and violate company policy.”
The club went on to say that it was implementing “strict training and instructions” for its other employees, to prevent them from being aggressive with customers in future. Club Khaosan followed the statement with a notice that it was closing for “renovations”, according to the Coconuts report.
Video of the incident, involving a foreign man some say is a popular YouTuber in Thailand, went viral, prompting the club to take action. It’s believed the incident took place on Saturday night, when Thongchai handcuffed the foreign man, before slapping him twice with a water bottle.
In the video, the security guard can be heard accusing the foreigner of stealing water. The man replies in Thai that he did not steal anything and the guard responds by hitting him with the bottle. It’s understood the man later told police that he had mistakenly assumed the water was free when he took some bottles.
Despite his ability to speak Thai, the foreigner has been identified as a “tourist” in Thai media reports. After being slapped a second time, he can be heard saying (in Thai): “I have never stolen anything in my life.”
On Sunday, Thongchai was arrested by officers from the nearby Chanasongkram Police Station. Officers also detained another security guard, named as Krisada, who can be seen in the video clip, intervening between Thongchai and the foreigner. It’s understood Krisada has been detained because he refused to answer questions following the incident.
SOURCE: Coconuts
