Two men who claimed they were being good Samaritans have been arrested for the handcuffing and assault of a hotel security guard on Pattaya Beach.
Chatree Chaiyasit, 20, and Natapong Simmawong, 18, both of Nakhon Ratchasima, were brought to a police news conference May 1 where they confessed to the beating of Songkran Mulsarn, 48.
The guard was found locked in handcuffs and lying on Pattaya Beach around 3 a.m. April 28. Badly injured, he was transported to Banglamung Hospital for treatment of head wounds.
Police brought Chatree Chaiyasit and Natapong Simmawong to the scene to reenact the crime.
After being picked up in their apartment on Soi Siam Country Club, the speedboat operators claimed there were having a drink on the beach when a woman approached them. She claimed she had been robbed and pointed at Songkran.
The duo told police they confronted the man on the woman’s behalf and an argument ensued.
They nonetheless were booked on assault and robbery charges, and they took 200 baht off the victim.
Songkran had told police he was walking on the beach when he was approached by the same woman, who asked him for money for beer. He said he gave it to her, only to next be approached by the suspects on a motorbike.
Songkran said they threatened him for cash, saying he owned them money. But Songkran only had 200 baht on him, which he quickly turned over.
Police initially suspected the suspects were debt collectors for loan sharks and are continuing to investigate.
