A drunk Icelandic man has been injured after getting into a fight with his Bolt driver in North Pattaya on Saturday night.

Police and paramedics were called to Soi Chalermphrakiat 19 in Bang Lamung district, where they found an Icelandic man in his 50s or 60s and identified only as Paul. He had suffered a head wound and had blood on his face. At the scene police also found Nipon Thepmanee, 52, a Thai police volunteer and Jamsawai Jamsuwan, 43, a driver from taxi service Bolt. 

Mr Jamsawai told police that he picked up Paul and a Thai woman from Soi Bua Khao and dropped them at Soi Chalermphrakiat 19, only to find out later that the Icelandic man had entered the wrong location and actually wanted to go to Soi Khao Noi. He explained the mistake to Paul and drove him and the Thai woman to Soi Khao Noi.

The driver accused Paul of being very drunk, berating him all the time while in the car, and at one point reaching out his arm to slap his head. Mr Jamsawai then stopped the car and told the Thai woman to take her friend out of the car and find another.

Paul got out of the car and slammed the door continuing to shout at Mr Jamsawai. The Icelandic passenger grabbed the driver’s collar, slapped his neck and pulled his gold necklace so forcefully that it snapped. In a fit of rage, Mr Jamsawai punched Paul in the face and a fight began.

Mr Nipon stepped in to stop the fight but was allegedly punched by Mr Paul and rendered unconscious.