Drunk Russian held after assault on Thai woman

2026-02-12 - 06:46

PATTAYA — 11 February 2026, A Russian man was detained after allegedly assaulting a Thai woman while heavily intoxicated, prompting bystanders and tourists to restrain him in Pattaya on Wednesday night, police said. Pol. Lt. Jittisuk Suthinitthawong, deputy inspector for patrol at Pattaya City police station, said officers were alerted at 21:15 to an incident outside a shopping centre on Pattaya Second Road in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. Callers reported that a drunken foreign man had attacked a Thai woman, leaving her injured. Officers and rescue workers arrived to find a group of residents, motorcycle taxi riders and tourists restraining a Russian man, believed to be about 30. He was pinned to the ground to calm him down. Police said he appeared heavily intoxicated, incoherent and shouting. He had minor abrasions on his face and body and was taken into custody at Pattaya City police station. A motorcycle taxi rider, 20-year-old Prawanwit Somanat, said he had arrived to pick up a Thai female passenger when he saw the Russian man arguing with another foreigner. He said he did not initially suspect trouble. As his passenger left a convenience store to get on his motorcycle, the Russian man staggered towards her and punched her forcefully, knocking her to the ground where her head struck the pavement, he said. After the assault, the man reportedly stood in the middle of the road shouting and attempted to punch anyone who tried to intervene. Witnesses, angered by his behaviour, subdued him. An employee at a nearby traditional massage shop said the man had earlier been seen heavily drunk and harassing people in the area. She said he had chased and tried to hit Thai women from the beach area to Pattaya Second Road before bystanders stepped in. Police initially charged the man with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. They said they were awaiting a formal complaint from the injured woman to proceed with further legal action.