A group of Thappraya Civil Defense Volunteers attacked a local television reporter who earlier filmed a story about their colleagues molesting a woman on Pattaya Beach.
Anucha Noijamning was set upon by five men, one of them identified as Thappraya Center official Manee Naamdorkmai, in front of tourists and other reporters at a Loy Krathong ceremony Nov. 10. He was treated at Banglamung Hospital and released.
Following the advice of Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Anucha Noijamning reports the beating to police.
Anucha said was preparing to film Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome opening the Loy Krathong festivities on stage when a Thappraya volunteer told him to leave. He said he informed the security officer he was a reporter, but he was ignored and hauled away. He tried to escape, but was pounced upon by four other men, including Manee, he said.
Event guests tried to break up the fight and other reporters filmed the scuffle. Realizing their faces were being captured for TV cameras, the men fled, but only after taking Anucha’s walkie-talkie.
Anucha believes the beating was payback for his Nov. 2 story about Pattaya drunk civil-defense volunteer Bancha Pimyoying, 43, and his Thappraya Center drinking buddy, Pichet Rumruay, 31, who were arrested on Beach Road after squeezing the breast of a woman near Mike Shopping Center.
