Three security guards that were called in for questioning following a violent assault on two foreigners in Pattaya’s Soi 6, have admitted that they got “carried away”.
The Bangkok Post reports that the men, named only as 27 year old Ball, 36 year old Tom, and 24 year old Ice, have all been accused of a violent attack arising from a dispute over an unpaid bar bill. But no official charges have been levelled against them at this stage.
The incident happened at around 5pm last Friday afternoon, May 24, at the Helicopter Bar on Soi 6, and was filmed by a number of bystanders. Much of that footage has now been widely circulated on social media.
According to 38 year old Samorn, a cashier working at the Helicopter Bar, a group of 3 British tourists was drinking at the bar and chatting to escorts.
“Two of the men paid their bills, but the third kept changing tables and eventually wandered off without paying.”
When Samorn asked the remaining two to pay their friend’s bill of 2,800 baht, she says they became annoyed, initially refusing to pay. They then started grabbing the phones of other customers to prevent them filming the dispute.
At this point, Samorn says she called the security guards who patrol the street. The tourists then paid the bill but as they were leaving, one of them shoved a security guard out of his way and a fight ensued.
PHOTO: Khaosod English
During questioning at Pattaya police station, the guard identified as Ball said one of the tourists hit him first. He told officers his nose was broken and he needed 6 stitches. He has apologised for his subsequent actions and those of his colleagues, saying they “lost control and overreacted”.
Videos of the brawl show a security guard being punched first, then the 3 guards fighting back. The footage, recorded on phones by several bystanders, shows the guards repeatedly kicking the tourists as they lay on the ground, leaving one of them unconscious.
Social media rumours circulated about one of the British men’s condition, claiming he was in ICU or “dead”. But more CCTV footage has emerged showing the three British men walking back to their accommodations following the incident.
The authorities say that so far, neither tourist has filed a police complaint and are refusing to officially charge any of the Thai security guards for their behaviour.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
