A mother has posted a video clip on Facebook and asked for help identifying the man who attacked her daughter in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters building on Wednesday.
Noppawan Nantakit said her daughter, a third-year university student, had exited the Siam BTS train station and walked towards the nearby police headquarters at about 11am on Wednesday.
Without warning, a stranger hit her on the back of the head with a stick. She immediately ran away without looking back as the man tried to hit her again. He chased her but the second blow missed. He then turned back and walked off as if nothing had happened.
"Anyone who knows the man in the picture please give information. He is dangerous... He had no fear, even though he was right in front of the Royal Thai Police Office," Ms Noppawan wrote.
She added that her daughter sought help at police headquarters, where she was examined and found to be all right.
Deputy police spokesman Krisana Patanacharoen said on Thursday that the victim was Jaruporn Nantakit, 21.
He quoted her as saying she first walked past the man, who was sitting on the footpath. Seconds later he got up, chased her and hit her. The woman was only slightly injured and insisted she did not know the man, Pol Col Krisana said.
The assailant was probably in his 30s and appeared to be mentally disturbed.
National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda was informed of the incident and ordered the man's quick arrest, the deputy police spokesman said.
