In the age of social media and viral videos, incidents like the one that occurred on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya capture the attention of millions worldwide. A video showing a Thai man punching a South Korean YouTuber, Anseong Ri, has gone viral on YouTube, raising questions about privacy, cultural differences, and social norms.
The Beach Altercation
The incident took place at approximately 2 am on a Friday, July 28, when Anseong Ri was livestreaming on YouTube and Kick websites. The video shows Ri walking on the beach, engaging with his audience when suddenly, Anupong, a Thai man in an orange shirt, confronted him, shouting angrily about not being filmed without permission.
Anupong demanded Ri to stop recording, to which Ri responded that he hadn’t filmed him. A heated argument ensued, with both parties exchanging expletives. As tensions escalated, Anupong threw punches at Ri, causing his nose to bleed. Despite pleas from onlookers, the attack persisted until Ri managed to walk away.
Attacker did not get fined, jailed or arrested
a prominent online platform, reported that Ri took some time to compose himself before returning to address the issue. However, another foreign tourist discouraged him, advising that it was not worth pursuing the matter further. Tourist Police intervened, and Ri was charged 34,000 baht for filming others without permission. Surprisingly, Anupong faced no legal consequences for the physical assault.
Debates and Opinions
The incident has sparked intense discussions online, with viewers expressing diverse opinions. Some believe that Ri was unjustly attacked and that Thailand is a dangerous place for foreigners. They argue that everyone should respect personal boundaries and that violence should never be the answer.
On the other hand, some viewers opine that Ri’s actions warranted consequences due to his disregard for others’ privacy. They argue that even though the attack may have been excessive, filming others without consent is an invasion of their privacy, and cultural norms should be respected.