South Korean Tourist Assaulted in Pattaya Robbery Gone Wrong
A disturbing assault on a 29-year-old South Korean tourist in Pattaya has raised serious questions for Thai police, who are investigating whether the incident was a robbery gone wrong — or part of a more sinister plot.
The incident occurred at around 4:06 a.m. on August 1, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Alis Phuangwai, Deputy Chief of Pattaya City Police Station, received a report of a violent assault in a parking lot near an entertainment venue on Soi Siam Sam Tat Phettrakul. The officer quickly informed Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo and rushed to the scene with his team.
There, police found the tourist, identified only as Koh, with visible head wounds and bruises across his face. Koh claimed he had been attacked by a group who attempted to steal 300,000 baht from him. But the story took a strange turn when Koh alleged that the attackers forced him to carry around 20 ketamine vape pods before fleeing.
According to a security guard at the venue, Koh had been seen earlier in the evening socializing with a group of nearly ten Thai men. The group was reportedly chatting outside the nightclub before leaving together in a vehicle. Koh returned alone sometime later, injured and seeking help. However, the guard did not witness the actual attack, leaving critical gaps in the timeline.
Police have expressed caution over Koh’s account. The presence of drugs complicates the case and raises the possibility that the assault may not have been a simple robbery. Officers are working to determine whether Koh was an unsuspecting victim or involved in illicit activity.
To clarify the situation, police will conduct a thorough interview with Koh using an interpreter. They are also scouring the area for CCTV footage that may provide clues as to what transpired before and after the alleged assault.
Authorities emphasized that if any suspects are identified, they will face legal consequences. “We will not tolerate criminal acts against tourists or anyone else,” one officer told The Pattaya News. “This case will be handled with full legal scrutiny.”
The incident adds to growing concerns about tourist safety in Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife but also its history of criminal activity involving foreigners.
In a related case, Pattaya police arrested four individuals — two Chinese nationals and two Thais — in connection with the abduction and robbery of a 52-year-old Chinese tourist. That attack occurred on July 10, when the victim was forced into a white SUV by men pretending to be police officers. The suspects are currently in custody as that investigation continues.
As for the case involving Koh, it remains under active investigation. Police have yet to confirm whether he will face any charges related to drug possession, depending on the outcome of toxicology and forensic examinations.
For now, the question remains: was Koh a target in a failed robbery, or was he part of a drug-related scheme that went awry? Police intend to uncover the truth.
