PATTAYA, THAILAND – A ride-hailing driver in Pattaya secured compensation from foreign tourists after tracking down video evidence himself when police initially refused to act.
Late-night clash on Soi 6
At about 2:40 a.m., Phuritha Aramwong was driving through Pattaya when a situation on the well-known Soi 6 escalated. A group of four apparently drunk men crossed the road, and two of them suddenly jumped onto the rear of his Bolt car. The driver heard a loud bang and later found that his hood had been damaged, but he managed to grab hold of one of the men.
Driver turned away by police
With the detained man in his vehicle, Phuritha drove straight to the police station, where he said he encountered an unexpected setback.
“The police released the man again. They told me I should collect evidence myself,”
said Phuritha Aramwong, driver.
The foreign tourist refused to pay for the damage and blamed a friend, leaving Phuritha without any compensation.
Surveillance footage changes the case
The Bolt driver did not give up and obtained surveillance footage from the area. The recordings clearly showed the men jumping on his car and causing the damage, and Phuritha then posted the video on Facebook. Armed with this material, he returned to the police, who this time proceeded with the case.
Tourists pay 6,000 baht
The foreign men were summoned to the police station, where Phuritha demanded 6,000 baht in damages, roughly 150 euros. The tourists agreed and paid the amount, and no criminal complaint was expected, effectively closing the matter.
“I am glad that I got my money. But the road was rocky,”
said Phuritha Aramwong, driver.
Previous incident on Walking Street
The case was not unique for Pattaya, which had seen a similar incident in January. On Walking Street, two groups of foreigners clashed, and a parked taxi was damaged when a man was pushed into the vehicle’s door, leaving a deep dent. In that case too, those involved paid for the damage after videos of the fight were published, and the taxi driver was compensated.
Rising pushback against drunk abuse
The incidents underlined that Thailand continued to face assaults and damage caused by drunk tourists. At the same time, more victims were fighting back, using social media to seek justice when official responses appeared slow. According to the account, police often reacted only after public pressure built online.
Warning for holidaymakers
The report stressed that holidaymakers could celebrate, but only with respect for others and property. Those who caused trouble had to expect consequences, including compensation claims and videos circulating on the internet. The message to drivers in Pattaya was clear: they were urged not to let themselves be harmed by drunk tourists and to stand up for their rights.
Lesson in persistence
Phuritha’s perseverance ultimately paid off after he refused to be brushed aside and insisted on his rights. His experience was presented as an example that victims should not give up, but instead use patience, evidence and support from the online community to succeed. The case added to the ongoing debate over whether penalties for such behaviour in tourist hotspots should be tougher.