PATTAYA, THAILAND – Two European tourists were injured in Pattaya after stepping into a late-night confrontation involving nearly ten foreigners, prompting a police investigation and a search for additional suspects.
Incident in Soi Diamond
In the early hours of 1 March, two foreign holidaymakers were hurt during a physical altercation in a side street off Pattaya Sai Song Road. According to police, both men had tried to break up an argument between several men before being caught up in the violence.
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to Soi Diamond at around 5 a.m. They provided first aid at the scene and arranged for the injured tourists to be transported to a local hospital.
British tourist in critical condition
One of the injured men was identified as 22-year-old Briton Harry Craig Roberts, who suffered a cut to his neck. He was admitted to hospital in what police described as critical condition, and his current state was initially unknown.
The second victim, 28-year-old Frenchman Arthur Rochand, sustained a head injury. Investigators planned to question both men in hospital once their medical condition allowed.
Witness accounts of the clash
Several motorcycle taxi drivers who said they witnessed the incident told investigators that a confrontation had broken out between nearly ten foreigners in the narrow alley. According to their statements, Rochand tried to separate the men and was then drawn into the fight himself.
Roberts also intervened and was injured in the process, the witnesses added. Police said they were reviewing these accounts and interviewing additional people connected to the incident.
Probe into motive and participants
Police stated that they had not yet identified all those involved or clarified the exact motive for the clash. Citing initial indications, television channel Channel 7 reported that the dispute might have been linked to a local woman and jealousy, but this had not been officially confirmed.
Investigators announced that they would continue questioning more witnesses and pursue their inquiries until all participants had been identified.
Similar incidents since January
Since January, several altercations among foreign visitors in Pattaya had already been recorded. These included an incident in Soi Buakhao involving three Britons and an American, and another on Walking Street in which a parked vehicle was damaged.
Pattaya police did not say whether the incidents were connected or whether increased measures in the city’s nightlife areas were being considered.