A 26-year-old former soldier has filed a formal complaint after being violently assaulted by a group of men allegedly connected to an organized transport mafia operating in Pattaya’s Walking Street area. The incident has reignited concerns about intimidation, criminal influence, and public safety in one of Thailand’s most popular nightlife destinations.
On the night of December 28 at 11:06 p.m., the victim, identified only as Mr. Ek to protect his safety, met with reporters to recount the incident and confirm that he had submitted CCTV footage to Pattaya City Police Station. Mr. Ek said he now fears for his personal safety and is determined to pursue legal action against those responsible for the attack.
According to his account, the assault occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on December 24. Mr. Ek said he was driving his private vehicle to drop off a friend near Walking Street when he briefly stopped along the roadside. A group of men, described as physically imposing, allegedly approached his car, struck the vehicle, and shouted insults. Confused by the sudden confrontation, he lowered his window to ask what the issue was.
Due to heavy traffic in the area, Mr. Ek said he decided to drive forward to find a safer place to park before returning to clarify the situation. When he came back, he found around 10 men gathered at the location. While he was speaking calmly with one individual, another man he did not recognize allegedly approached from behind and struck him forcefully across the face.
Mr. Ek said the blow caused him to fall to the ground, leaving him disoriented and in pain, particularly around his face and ear. He emphasized that he did not fight back or attempt to escalate the confrontation. After the assault, one of the men reportedly claimed that the attacker was a hired enforcer for an influential local figure and warned Mr. Ek not to pursue the matter further. The group then left the scene.
Shortly after the incident, Mr. Ek reported the assault to police. He said officers initially attempted to contact the suspects for mediation, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Two days later, representatives of the group allegedly reached out to offer an apology. Mr. Ek declined any informal settlement, stating that he believed the perpetrators felt protected by local influence and would not be held accountable without formal legal action.
Mr. Ek also claimed that since the attack, he has learned of multiple similar incidents involving transport groups operating shared taxis and minibuses around Walking Street. Some of these incidents reportedly involved tourists, raising broader concerns about safety in the area.
He urged authorities to conduct a serious investigation, warning that unchecked violence and intimidation could damage Pattaya’s reputation and endanger both residents and visitors. Police have yet to provide further updates on the progress of the case, but Mr. Ek said he hopes the evidence he submitted will lead to accountability and stronger enforcement.
