PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya police have arrested a Cambodian man accused of attacking a fellow Cambodian worker with a machete at a workers’ camp, with the suspect allegedly telling officers he intended to attack someone else over a disputed 9,000-baht debt. The incident occurred around noon on August 15 at a workers’ camp in Soi Thepprasit 9, South Pattaya, where a 33-year-old Cambodian man, identified as John Doe, suffered serious head injuries after allegedly being struck with a machete.
At around 3:30 p.m., investigators and patrol officers from Pattaya City Police Station tracked down the alleged attacker, identified as 30-year-old Reaksa Chheut, at a rented room in Soi Naklua 13/5.
Police reportedly recovered a machete measuring about 50 centimetres long. Officers said the suspect appeared calm when they arrived to arrest him, reportedly sitting and eating ice cream before allowing himself to be taken into custody. During questioning, Chheut allegedly admitted attacking the victim but claimed he had “hit the wrong man.” He reportedly told police that he had originally intended to confront the victim’s older brother, whom he accused of cheating him out of 9,000 baht in wages.
The suspect allegedly went to the room looking for the man but could not find him. He also reportedly had a previous dispute with the injured man following an argument while drinking, which had allegedly resulted in him losing his job and moving out of the workers’ accommodation.
Police said the suspect became angry and attacked the injured man, who was sleeping inside the room, with the machete, causing serious injuries.
After the attack, Chheut allegedly returned to his rented room in Naklua and prepared to travel back to Cambodia. Investigators and patrol officers, however, tracked him down before he could leave the area. Police brought the suspect to Pattaya City Police Station for further questioning and conducted a urine test, which reportedly detected drugs in his system.
Investigators are preparing charges related to causing serious injury and will also check the suspect’s criminal and immigration records, including whether his entry and stay in Thailand comply with immigration requirements. The injured man remains the focus of the investigation, while police continue gathering evidence and questioning those involved before proceeding with the case under Thai law.
