PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 40-year-old cannabis shop operator in Pattaya was arrested after an alcohol- and cannabis-fueled outburst in which he allegedly threatened neighbors with a knife and shattered beer bottles outside his business.
Arrest after late-night disturbance
The incident occurred late Thursday on Pattaya Second Road near Soi 9 in Banglamung district, after callers reported a heavily intoxicated man disturbing public order around 10 p.m. Officers from the Pattaya City Police Station found the suspect sitting on a plastic chair in front of his shop, with broken beer bottles and cannabis-smoking utensils scattered on the pavement. Police said the man appeared extremely intoxicated, slurred his words and was barely responsive.
Suspect cites pressure over missing wife
Officers searched his clothing and bag but reported finding no additional illegal items, then took him to Pattaya Police Station to sober up. In custody, the man tearfully blamed his behavior on personal pressure, saying he had lost control because the separation from his wife had weighed heavily on him for months. He told officers he believed staff at the neighboring tattoo studio had helped his wife when she fled.
The detainee admitted he had smashed bottles in anger and hit himself on the head with one of them. At the same time, he insisted he had not injured anyone.
Tattoo studio owner alleges knife threat
The owner of the adjacent tattoo studio, Ms Sunisa Kenawong, 33, gave a markedly different account to local media, saying the man had been drinking heavily in front of his shop since late afternoon. She said he suddenly stormed into her studio and accused her boyfriend of hiding or abducting the missing wife, allegations she described as completely unfounded. After he was first told to leave, she said, he returned a few minutes later.
“He came back in and had a knife in his hand. Customers and staff were afraid for their lives.”
said Sunisa Kenawong, tattoo studio owner.
Out of concern for safety, she said she ran immediately to a nearby police box to seek help. She stated she had known the man only casually for months and had never previously seen violent behavior, but after the escalation she announced she would file a full criminal complaint.
Public order charge and ongoing probe
Police initially charged the man with disturbing public order, and he remained in custody while his name was withheld by authorities. Investigators were reviewing CCTV footage from the area and interviewing additional witnesses. They said that if video confirmed he had carried a knife in public or made credible threats, he could face further charges for carrying a blade in public without reasonable cause and for criminal intimidation.
Police stress legal process and safety
According to investigators, the case would be handled strictly under applicable law to protect both public safety and fairness to everyone involved. Officers indicated that the evaluation of video evidence and testimonies would determine whether additional counts beyond the initial public order allegation would be pursued.