Bunrit
Chomthaworn, Anek Chimsa and Pongsak Ukraihongsa were held for allegedly
grabbing and threatening a foreign tourist who refused to pay for parking in
a free parking area.
Boonlua Chatree
Three men extorting illegal parking fees from Walking
Street tourists were interviewed by Pattaya Tourist Police, but released
with a warning.
Phrai Munkhung, from City Hall, called Tourist Police and
reporters after receiving a complaint that three Thai men were demanding 20
baht fees to park motorbikes near the former pier at the opening of Walking
Street. Parking in that area is free.
The issue became inflamed when one of the men reportedly
grabbed and threatened a foreign tourist who refused to pay.
Tourist police responded to the scene, interviewing and
photographing the suspects: Bunrit Chomthaworn, Anek Chimsa and Pongsak
Ukraihongsa. They were given a warning and released.
Phrai said he received a mysterious call from someone who
claimed the three suspects were employees and asked to meet with the
official. Phrai went to the meeting, but did not meet the caller, saying he
planned to talk with a city deputy mayor the next day.
