PATTAYA, Thailand – Police detained a Russian national on Wednesday night, Feb 11, after he allegedly assaulted a Thai woman while heavily intoxicated, sparking outrage among bystanders who intervened to restrain him.
At about 9:15 p.m., Pol. Capt. Jittisuk Suthinitatwong, deputy chief of patrol operations at Pattaya City Police Station, was alerted by residents that a drunken foreign man had attacked a Thai woman outside a shopping mall on Pattaya Second Road. Patrol officers and rescue workers were dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, police found a Russian man, estimated to be around 30 years old, being restrained on the ground by local residents, delivery riders, and tourists who stepped in to stop his aggressive behavior. The suspect was reportedly highly intoxicated, shouting incoherently and behaving violently. He had minor abrasions on his face and body and was taken into custody and transported to Pattaya City Police Station.
A 20-year-old motorcycle taxi rider who witnessed the incident said he had arrived to pick up a Thai female customer when he noticed the Russian man arguing with another foreigner nearby. Moments later, as his customer walked out of a convenience store to board the motorcycle, the suspect staggered toward her and suddenly punched her, causing her to fall and hit her head on the ground.
After the assault, the suspect reportedly stood in the middle of the road, yelling and attempting to strike anyone who approached him. Witnesses said his actions angered bystanders, who then worked together to restrain him until police arrived.
A nearby traditional massage worker said the man had been roaming the area in a drunken state earlier, harassing people and allegedly attempting to strike Thai women from the beach area to Pattaya Second Road. Witnesses said the repeated behavior prompted locals and tourists to step in.
Police initially charged the suspect with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Further legal action will depend on whether the injured Thai woman files a formal complaint, authorities said.
