There’s a peculiar scene unraveling under the neon lights of Pattaya, where street antics have taken a bizarre and unsettling twist. The usually vibrant and welcoming avenues are now distressed by a new, unsavory trend. It appears that some motorcyclists, with pillion riders in tow, have taken to an unruly spree, slapping unsuspecting Indian visitors’ heads as they zip through the bustling streets.
On a night that could have mirrored many before it, at precisely 10:58 PM on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday, a quick succession of slapstick-like assaults was captured on a widely circulated CCTV clip. This footage reveals daring young men darting across Pattaya, sporting everything from casual attire to school uniforms. Their audacious mission? A slap-and-dash targeting specifically Indians, leaving many to wonder about the motives behind this peculiar choice of victim.
Spotlighting this issue, Santa Singh, a well-respected Indian businessman of 58, recounted his uneasy experiences. He noted that this curious and unsettling behavior has played out several times over the past week alone on the well-trodden path of Pattaya 2 Road, snaking up to Khao Phra Tamnak hill. The latest of these staggering encounters happened when two men, barely in their twenties, revved their motorcycle towards a group of Indian pedestrians. With a swift motion, the pillion rider delivered a hard slap to one unfortunate bystander’s head before vanishing into the Pattaya night.
Further into this bizarre tale, Nat, a 28-year-old Thai masseuse, added her eyewitness testimony. She described a scene reminiscent of an unexpected episode from a slapstick comedy, where pillion riders lashed out indiscriminately along the busy Soi VC Road. Her stern reprimand, though filled with righteous indignation, was lost on the mysterious assailants who continued their madcap antics. These events, she lamented, disrupted the harmony of her street where she welcomes guests to her massage parlour.
Adding to the chorus of bewilderment, veteran of the streets and taxi motorcyclist, Tao, recounted frequent occurrences of these pranks, often involving youngsters clad in what appeared to be familiar school uniforms. His voice carries stories that clump and grow at the edges of these nightly encounters. He described how these shenanigans had at times escalated to appalling extremes, with attackers even spitting on the hapless Indian tourists ambling along Pattaya’s bustling thoroughfares.
Both heartening and disheartening, the spate of incidents largely occurs in areas deeply entrenched with Indian-run establishments. Here, visitors weave between inviting eateries, bustling hotels, the occasional massage paradise, and vibrant tour companies, all nestled into the fabric of Pattaya’s diverse community tapestry.
As the town looks to its gleaming horizons over turquoise waves, Pattaya’s community leaders and business owners raise a clarion call for mutual respect and cultural harmony. In the wake of such unfathomable behavior, an appeal is made: let the streets of Pattaya once again resonate with joyful laughter, friendly banter, and the comforting assurance of safety— because every visitor deserves a journey untainted by such thoughtless jests.
This is absolutely disgraceful behavior! What are they thinking, acting like hooligans?
It’s not just about being hooligans, it’s a deep-seated racial issue that needs addressing.
I agree, grower134. This kind of behavior shows a lack of respect for other cultures.
Totally agree! It’s not just a prank if it targets a specific group. It’s harassment.
I don’t get it. Why are they targeting Indian tourists specifically? What’s their motive?
Maybe they’re just doing it for laughs, but it’s clearly gone too far!
You can’t trust everything the media says. How do we know this isn’t being exaggerated?
The CCTV footage seems pretty clear. It’s not just hearsay.
Denial won’t help solve the problem. This behavior is real and needs action.
As a Thai, I’m embarrassed that this is happening in my country. What can we do to stop it?
Education can help change attitudes. We need to teach our youth better values.
Education is key, but enforcement of laws is also necessary. Tourists need to feel safe.
Exactly! Both prevention and punishment are important here.
I remember Pattaya being such a peaceful place. Can’t believe how things have changed.
As an Indian who frequently travels to Thailand, this is worrying. Hoping this menace is curbed soon!
What a terrible experience for those tourists. I hope the authorities crack down on these kids.
Just avoid the areas where this is happening. There’s still lots to enjoy in Pattaya!
It’s not about avoiding the area, traveljunkie. It’s about ensuring everyone, Indian tourists included, feels welcome and safe.
This is unacceptable behavior. How do we know the police are doing enough?
Heard the authorities are upping patrols, but it takes time to see results.
Authorities will only act if people keep raising their voices. Pressure is key.
My cousin was in Pattaya last month. Thankfully nothing happened, but stories like these make us worry about visiting again.
It’s absurd to think a quick slap could be seen as funny. It’s intimidating and assault, plain and simple.
A crackdown on underage driving might help too. These kids need to face real consequences.
It sounds like a prank out of control. Teens keep pushing boundaries without understanding consequences.
Pushing boundaries is one thing, but targeted assaults aren’t pranks. They’re terrorizing people.
You’re right, the impact is deeper than they realize. We need to talk about this openly.
I think stricter laws need to be enforced. Tourists bring in money, and yet they’re targeted?
Let’s not blow this up more than it is. I believe Pattaya is still relatively safe for most people.
Seeing so many considering not visiting is sad. We shouldn’t let a few individuals ruin the reputation of an entire city.
An apology to the Indian community should be in order from the local officials. At least acknowledge the issue.