In response to a video of the assault spreading widely on local social media channels, Patong Police Superintendent Pol Col Chalermchai Hirasawat said the incident occurred at about 5:10am.
Pol Col Chalermchai claimed that patrol officers were on duty at the Bangla Police Box right in front of where the assault took place, but yet the video shared online shows that police response to an incident just metres away took minutes.
Apparently police were first alerted by a “good citizen” who reported a Thai man behaving erratically and disturbing tourists at the entrance to Soi Bangla, Pol Col Chalermchai said.
The man later moved towards Patong Beach, where he continued harassing passersby, Pol Col Chalermchai continued.
Officers apprehended the man as he was considered a danger to himself and others.
He was taken into custody and charged with public disorder and being “under the influence of alcohol or other substances”, Pol Col Chalermchai confirmed.
An arrest report was filed and the suspect was handed over to investigators for further legal action.
The injured tourist has agreed to pursue charges, Pol Col Chalermchai noted.
The assault came just hours after Patong Police conducted a very public “nighttime readiness check” at 9pm last night, during which Pol Col Chalermchai instructed patrol teams, Special Soi Bangla units and trainee cadets to strictly follow safety protocols under the Bangla Sandbox and Bangla Smart Safety Zone projects.
Led by Pol Lt Col Somporn Surin, the operation included equipment checks, safety briefings and proactive patrols focusing on weapons searches, high-risk individuals and measures to prevent quarrels and physical assaults in Soi Bangla ‒ all captured on camera and posted on the Patong Police Facebook page.
Police said the “nighttime security measures” would continue as part of efforts to maintain safety and public confidence in Patong’s busiest tourist area.