CHONBURI – A South Korean tourist was knocked out by a motorcycle taxi driver in Pattaya after he refused to pay his fare and provoked a fight with the driver, witnesses say.
A video that went viral on social media this week shows an Asian tourist arguing with a Thai motorcycle taxi driver in front of a bar in Pattaya. The tourist tries to kick the motorcyclist several times before the man punches the tourist once in the chin, sending him to the ground. The motorcyclist then walks away.
Dararat Kaewkongkerd, a 33-year-old waitress at "And Bar" on Soi 5, told Khaosod the incident took place in front of her bar on the night of 11 March.
According to Dararat, the tourist was from South Korea, and drank heavily that night. When he was unable to pay for his 1,150 baht bill, the tourist hailed a motorcycle taxi to get the money from his hotel room, the waitress said.
When the man returned, however, he only picked up his hat and refused to pay the bar tab and motorcycle fare, Dararat said. He then reportedly argued with the motorcyclist, attempted to fight him, and was eventually knocked out by the man.
"After what happened the staff gave first aid to him until he regained his consciousness," Dararat said, "We also took him to his hotel room.”
She added that the motorcycle taxi driver left the scene quickly after the incident.
Pol.Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, superintendent of Mueang Pattaya Police Station, said he has been informed about the fight, but that no one has filed charge with police.
"If the victim files a charge with the police, we will proceed to identify and locate the motorcycle taxi driver in order to prosecute him under the laws," Pol.Col. Sukthat said.
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