A Russian tourist was beaten unconscious by beer bar bouncer and a group of motorcycle-taxi drivers late Monday in Pattaya after the security guard thought the tourist was skipping out on the bill.
Police were alerted to the assault in front of a beer bar complex on Pattaya-Na Klua Road in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri shortly before midnight.
The victim, aged 30-35, was found lying unconscious, with severe head and facial injuries. Rescue workers provided first aid before sending him to Bang Lamung Hospital. One suspect later was caught and taken to the police station for questioning, Thai media reported today.
The name and nationality of the victim has yet to be identified.
Witnesses said the tourist was drinking beer at the Honey Bar and later asked for a bill, which totalled 1,300 baht. He paid 600 baht to the staff of the bar and told them he would withdraw money from an ATM opposite the bar to pay the rest. But apparently there were communication problems.
Witnesses said one of the bar's guards misunderstood and thought the tourist was trying to run out on the bill. He ran towards the foreigner and punched him in the head before calling 4-5 motorcycle-taxi drivers in the area to assault the foreigner, who was beaten unconscious.
The assault occurred in a full view of foreign tourists at the bar. Some paid their bills and immediately left the venue, while others moved to other bars.
Police said the incident tarnished the reputation of the tourism city and they were hunting down the suspects.