Pattaya, the 5^th of July 2010 [Pattaya Daily News]: At approximately 1:00am, Lieutenant Colonel Klitsakorn Thongin (Pattaya Police Deputy Superintendent) along with police Captain Somchai Chaikhananukoon (Pattaya Police Investigator) and a team of officers were patroling in front of Pattaya Police Station when they heard an altercation erupt nearby.

Resultant investigations found that a mini bus taxi driver, parked in front of the Centralfestival Pattaya Beach, had assaulted a foreign tourist, hitting him in the face. The foreigner subsequently reported the incident to police who were sent to investigate with the taxi driver as to the nature of the altercation.

Investigations with the taxi driver, Mr. Aphisit Wichai [38], revealed that he was in an extremely intoxicated state, shouting protest at being arrested without reason. Officers informed the man that he was not under arrest but was required to attend the police station to answer questioning over an alleged assault.

The intoxicated man refused officers attempts to take him to the station, violently pushing and threatening officers whilst proclaiming to have contacts within the Royal Thai Police force. Police volunteers were called in to assist in taking the drunken Mr. Wichai to the nearby police station, at which point he continued to struggle and threaten officers with violence.

Due to his actions Mr. Wichai was subsequently charged with resisting police and attempted assault on a police officer. He refused to sign the statement of facts and continued to shout and resist officers who were attempting to put him in the remand cells.

Investigations regarding the prior assault will continue once the suspect has regained his sobriety.