CHONBURI — Three Thai men are under arrest for beating a British tourist who they say sexually harassed a woman in the resort town of Pattaya last week.
In a press conference today, police said the three men confessed to assaulting the 36-year-old British man on 5 April.
One of the suspects, Patipan, told police he attacked the British tourist because the man sexually harassed his sister while she was walking with her Finnish boyfriend. The woman phoned Patipan for help, and Patipan arrived at the scene with two of his friends, Pattana and Piyarat, police say.
According to police, the British tourist was arguing with the Finnish man when the three Thais arrived at the scene. Pattana reportedly tried to tell the British man to leave, and then punched him when he refused.
The British man eventually started to leave, but then turned around to shout insults at the three men, prompting the group to beat him up, police say. The three men reportedly fled the scene after the incident.
Patipan, Pattana, and Piyarat have been charged with assault.
"The suspects confessed that the reason they did it is because they were angry at [the British man] for scolding them," said Pol.Col. Sukthat Pumphanmuang, superintendent of Mueang Pattaya Police Station "They did not have any intention to destroy the tourism atmosphere or damage Pattaya's reputation. They also apologized for what they have done."
Pol.Col. Sukthat added that the Thai woman has also pressed sexual assault charge against the British tourist.
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