PATTAYA — Police arrested a British man on Wednesday, a day after he allegedly threw acid at a guesthouse manager in Pattaya while searching for his Thai girlfriend, leaving the woman with severe injuries.
The suspect, identified as Richard Langford, 40, was detained near Soi Buakhao after local residents reported seeing him arguing with a Thai woman. The victim, a 43-year-old guesthouse manager, remains hospitalised with serious burns to her face and body.
Witnesses said the man had been knocking on doors throughout the guesthouse on Tuesday evening while searching for a Thai woman. The manager reportedly told residents that he was not a guest at the property and attempted to remove him. Shortly afterwards, she was found suffering burns after being splashed with a corrosive substance.
According to police, Langford said he had gone to the guesthouse looking for his Thai girlfriend and one of her transgender friends because he believed they had his passport. He claimed he threw liquid from a nearby cup during a confrontation with the manager, insisting he did not know it contained a corrosive substance.
The Thai woman later told police she had been in a relationship with Langford for about five months. She said the couple had argued over his behaviour and separated shortly before the incident, prompting him to search for her.
Police said Langford had overstayed his visa since February. He is being charged with overstaying in Thailand, while investigators prepare additional charges related to the attack.