A 38-year-old American tourist was allegedly assaulted by a foreign bar owner in Pattaya in the early hours of July 11, reportedly after filming a video inside the venue. The tourist, identified as Raf, filed a police report at Mueang Pattaya Police Station, presenting footage of the altercation and showing visible injuries.
According to a post shared on the Thai-language Facebook page หลังคาแดงตีแผ่ 2 (which translates roughly to Exposed by Red Roof 2), police confirmed that Raf sustained multiple bruises to his face and cuts near his eyes and eyebrows. When he arrived at the station around 2:50 a.m., his head was reportedly covered in blood.
Raf told authorities he had been drinking alone at a bar located on Soi Buakhao, a popular nightlife area in central Pattaya, until closing time. He explained that he was filming the atmosphere of the bar—a routine activity for him—when the foreign owner, whose nationality has not been disclosed, allegedly confronted him without warning.
Raf claimed the man became aggressive and struck him repeatedly in the face until he collapsed. He emphasized that he had not provoked the attack, had paid his 700-baht bill (approximately USD 19), and had made sure not to include other patrons in the video, which might otherwise raise concerns about privacy.
Police stated they are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the bar and are calling on any witnesses to come forward. Authorities have pledged to conduct a fair investigation and ensure that appropriate legal action is taken.
This incident follows a series of similar violent encounters involving tourists in Pattaya’s nightlife venues. In March, a British tourist was reportedly assaulted by a security guard, and in May, two Australian brothers and several Thai bar staff were implicated in another attack. While the motives in each case vary, the recent string of incidents has raised concerns about the safety of visitors in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations.
