PATTAYA, Thailand – A long-running dispute over loud music in a Pattaya neighborhood turned violent after a man was allegedly assaulted by his neighbor shortly after police left the scene.
The 40-year-old victim, identified as Phawat, filed a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station at around midnight on October 30, reporting that he had been injured in an assault in Soi Phaniad Chang 8/3, Central Pattaya.
He said tensions with the neighbor across the road had been building for some time because of loud music played late at night. Despite several attempts to ask the neighbor to turn down the volume, arguments continued. He had reportedly called police patrol officers to intervene nearly 10 times, but the problem remained unresolved.
At around 11pm on the night of the incident, the neighbor was allegedly playing loud music again. Phawat called police, who attended the scene, issued a warning and measured the noise level. He claimed the reading exceeded 70 decibels. The neighbor reportedly became angry and argued with officers before they left.
Phawat alleged that the music became even louder after police departed. He went outside his home to record the noise as evidence, but said the neighbor challenged him to come out. When he approached, he was allegedly attacked and injured. He said he had repeatedly tried to resolve the dispute peacefully and sought police assistance, but the situation eventually escalated into violence.
Investigators have issued a medical examination referral so the victim’s injuries can be documented for the case. Police are preparing to question the neighbor and gather evidence from both sides before proceeding under the law.
