PATTAYA, THAILAND – A holiday video recorded on a speedboat trip in Pattaya became key evidence in an alleged sexual harassment case against a foreign tourist.
Video from Bali Hai Pier becomes evidence
The incident reportedly took place on 24 November at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya, when the woman, known as “Gamgung”, held on to the arm of a foreign tourist while disembarking from a speedboat to keep her balance. According to the video, the man in a red T‑shirt and black shorts then suddenly moved his hand towards her genital area. The woman visibly flinched, and her boyfriend, Leo, only learned of the episode later when another passenger sent him the accidentally recorded footage.
Online outrage after Facebook post
On 2 December, Leo posted the video on Facebook to expose the man and warn other women.
“I never expected this foreigner to do something like this,”
said Leo, the boyfriend. Online reactions were divided, with some suggesting a cultural misunderstanding or clumsy attempt to help, while a majority judged the movement as deliberate and clearly inappropriate, prompting the couple to announce they would file a formal complaint with the tourist police.
Group accused of drinking throughout boat trip
According to Leo, the accused foreigner had travelled with two friends, and all three had consumed alcohol throughout the entire boat tour. Before the incident, the men had reportedly behaved normally, and the alleged assault appeared to come out of nowhere as the woman left the boat. The bystander who happened to film the scene became a crucial witness, as without the video it would have been one person’s word against another’s.
Case renews scrutiny of Pattaya’s party image
The case once again raised questions about the sense of security in Pattaya, a city that has long struggled with its reputation as a party hotspot with questionable moral standards. Incidents like this were seen as damaging to the tourism image and particularly discouraging for families and women travelling alone. The tourist police came under pressure to treat the case seriously and identify the suspected perpetrator before he could leave the country.
Tourist police face key investigative steps
Investigators first had to establish the identity of the tourist, using the video and the boat’s booking lists as main leads. The complaint was being processed as sexual harassment, an offence under Thai law that can result in a fine or even imprisonment if the man is convicted. For the affected couple, going to the police was described as an act of empowerment, as they said they no longer wanted to remain victims but sought justice.