Two pirated-music dealers were arrested and released for allegedly assaulting a foreign tourist over the cost of a beer on Walking Street in Pattaya.
Thanawat Konyung, 38, and Nakorn Khmasuk, 35, were taken into custody March 21 after a video of their attack on the foreign man went viral on the internet.
Police said the two would be released if the foreigner involved declined to press charges. No charges for selling copyrighted goods were mentioned.
The brawl apparently broke out after the unnamed foreigner and his Thai companion bought two beers at a convenience store after 2 a.m. earlier that day. The couple came out and stopped to drink the beers next to a kiosk selling counterfeit compact discs, placing the drinks on a post and telling the vendors they’d be back.
However, the woman returned alone shortly later, saying she had ditched the foreigner. The CD sellers threw the beers in the trash.
The jilted foreigner returned shortly after, less-than-pleased, and grew even less so when he found the CD jockeys had tossed his brewski.
An argument broke out which turned into fists and kicks for all the world to see.
