CHON BURI: A tourist from South Korea sustained injuries in a fight with a group of minibus operators following a heated exchange of words early on Sunday, police said.
The incident occurred at about 4.30am at an intersection near Wat Chaimongkol temple in South Pattaya, tambon Nong Prue.
Tourist police who rushed to the scene on being informed of the incident found Hyon Soo-bae, 53, lying on the footpath, unable to move from an injury in the right leg. He was admitted to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.
A Thai woman accompanying the Korean said the incident occurred while they were returning to a hotel in a songthaew minibus. When told by a minibus conductor to move further inside, the Korean man said he would rather sit near the rear exit because his large stature would make it difficult for him to get off the vehicle. The two sides exchanged verbal abuse.
When the Korean man decided to get off to walk away, he was reportedly attacked by a group of minibus operators and a fight ensued. The tourist ended up lying on the footpath, while the attackers dispersed.
Police were checking the footage from security cameras in the area to help identify the attackers.
