In a shocking incident that unfolded in South Pattaya this morning, a Tunisian tourist, identified as 21-year-old Salmen, went on a violent rampage, taking a Thai woman hostage and injuring several locals with a broken bottle. The chaotic scene occurred around 9 AM in the bustling walking street of Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, leaving onlookers in disbelief.
Witnesses reported that Salmen accused the woman of stealing his money, leading to a fit of rage where he grabbed her by the neck and held her hostage while shouting accusations. As he brandished the broken bottle, he began attacking bystanders, prompting patrons at a nearby beer bar to flee in terror.
The local police were quickly alerted and arrived at the scene, where they spent over an hour attempting to negotiate with Salmen to release the woman. Despite their efforts, the situation escalated, and Salmen eventually retreated into a nearby entertainment venue. Unable to reason with him, the officers made the decision to subdue him and transport him to the police station for further management.
Upon arrival at the station, it became evident that Salmen was heavily intoxicated. He continued to exhibit aggressive behavior, cursing at the police and remaining incoherent. Authorities detained him for causing a public disturbance while under the influence, and further legal actions are anticipated.
The incident reportedly began at a beer bar owned by 44-year-old Sukanya Suebma, who recounted that Salmen had entered the establishment with a Thai woman employed there. They had been enjoying a game of pool and drinks before the situation took a violent turn. Sukanya immediately contacted the police when Salmen began threatening anyone who approached.
A 34-year-old woman, known by the pseudonym Naen, who had met Salmen earlier at Pattaya Beach, described him as extremely intoxicated after visiting the bar. She clarified that he had paid for his drinks with the last 500 baht he had on him and insisted that she had not stolen any money from him.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of both locals and tourists in the area, highlighting the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and the unpredictable behavior it can provoke. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the event to prevent similar occurrences in the future.