PATTAYA, Thailand – A ride-hailing driver has sparked alarm with footage that appears to show two foreign women trying to steer a heavily drunk tourist from Beach Road toward a dark stretch of sand.
The incident unfolded on July 29 along the busy coastal strip. The driver said he was scouting for passengers when he spotted the two women approaching the visibly intoxicated man.
Driver films suspicious scene on Beach Road
They hugged and held onto the tourist before trying to lead him away from the pickup area. The man showed signs of resistance and tried to walk off but seemed barely able to move, the driver described.
He was in no condition to fight back, the driver said.
Big gold necklace as a potential target
What caught the driver’s eye was the tourist’s pricey jewellery, especially a huge gold chain. In his state, the man was an easy mark, he said.
The women’s goal was a poorly lit spot near the shore. The driver posted the video to a Facebook group the same day.
I don’t want to discriminate
I’m not trying to discriminate.
said the driver in his post. He said his warning was based purely on what he saw and the drunk man’s obvious helplessness.
The clip has set off a wave of worry in Pattaya. Locals and regular visitors are now debating the risks that tipsy tourists face in the nightlife hotspots.
No police report on the incident
No official police report has been filed. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of those involved or determined whether any crime took place.
The exact circumstances remain murky. But the incident has revived calls for tighter controls on Beach Road and other entertainment zones.
Tourists urged to stay alert
Officials are telling visitors to keep an eye on their valuables and not to wander alone while drunk. Anyone in trouble should call friends, hotel staff, or the police for help, they say.
Also read: Hua Hin pushes out tourists after incident involving six people
The debate over official surveillance of tourist areas has been reignited.