CHONBURI — Police in Pattaya are searching for a vendor who reportedly assaulted a Russian tourist who refused to buy a watch from his stall.
Police say the 22-year-old tourist was attacked with a knife at around 10 pm last night less than 50 metres away from Mueang Pattaya Police Station.
The tourist has knife wounds across his abdomen and is in critical condition, acording to medical workers at Pattaya Memorial Hospital.
According to the victim's sister, the vendor became angry after her brother decided the watches were counterfeit and refused to buy one. When her brother told the vendor to go away, the vendor reportedly attacked him with a knife and fled the scene, witnesses say.
Pol.Lt. Jakkrit Chantakam, an officer at Mueang Pattaya Police Station, told reporters that police are checking CCTVs in the area to identify and locate the suspect. He also warned tourists in Pattaya to be wary of vendors who may become aggressive if tourists refuse to buy their wares.
"We will find the perpetrator and bring him to justice as soon as possible, because this incident damages the image of Pattaya as a tourist destination," Pol.Lt. Jakkrit said.
Pattaya, a seaside resort town east of Bangkok, is well-known for its seedy nightlife and high rate of crimes against foreigners.
Last week police arrested a vendor who allegedly attacked a 60-year-old Swiss tourist in Pattaya who refused to buy his souvenirs.
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