Crime
Pattaya Motorcycle Taxi Driver Fined for Kicking German Tourist in the Head
PATTAYA – A Motorcycle Taxi driver in the city of Pattaya City, who kicked a German tourist in the head has publicly apologized for his actions and claimed he was provoked by the tourist, who was bending over when the assault happened.
The assault was videoed and posted online and drew strong criticism online by Facebook followers.
Sunthorn Saenkham, 48, was detained shortly after the assault on Beach road in Pattaya on Wednesday.
He was fined 1,000 baht for assault, said Pol Capt Chanikarn Phuenpinit, deputy investigation chief at Pattaya police station.
Mr Sunthorn also apologized to the public, admitting his action had damaged the dignity of Pattaya.
He claimed the tourist had scolded him, using rude English words. So he kicked him.
The video clip shows the German, named in Thai media as Andreas Bruer, trying to free his motorcycle, which had been locked by police on a road along beach.
A motorcycle driver in a red jacket suddenly walks up and kicks him on the side of the head. The man was bending over at the time, intent on freeing his motorcycle. Other motorcycle drivers then intervened.
Pol Col Apichai Krobphet, chief of Pattaya police, said police had locked the tourist’s motorcycle because he had no motorcycle licence.
Officers were about to take the bike to the police station for storage, but the tourist resisted and tried to free his bike. The Pattaya police chief claimed the tourist acted aggressively and spoke impolitely to the officers, INN News reported.
That was when the motorcycle taxi driver walked up to the tourist and kicked him.
Pol Col Apichai said the tourist was charged with driving without licence and was fined. He did not name him, Mr Sunthorn was charged with assault and fined.
Video clip by @welovepattaya58 Facebook page.
