A popular nightclub in Bangkok’s backpacker row said it fired a security guard who handcuffed and slapped a guest.
The Club Khaosan said it had fired the guard, identified in reports as Thongchai, after he was seen on Saturday night assaulting the unidentified foreign national, who some said was a popular YouTuber in Thailand.
“The actions of the security staff were unacceptable by any means and violate company policy,” it said yesterday in a tortured English statement. “Following that, the individual has urgently been addressed to the police and the company has filed for assault on behalf of the affected party.
The club said it would impose “strict training and instructions” on its remaining staff to prevent them from being aggressive toward patrons in the future.
Footage of the incident sparked a furor, and hours after issuing its apology, the venue said last night it would close for “renovations.”
The video clip that went viral over the weekend, believed to have happened Saturday night, shows Thongchai slapping a handcuffed man twice in the face with a water bottle. The man had reportedly been accused by staff of stealing water bottles from the venue.
“Why you steal?” the guard says in English.
“I didn’t steal anything krub” the man says in Thai before the guard strikes him with a water bottle. Despite speaking Thai he was identified as a “tourist” in Thai-language reports because all foreigners are “tourists” in Thai-language media.
After a second slap, a woman can be heard warning the guards she was filming them. The man then says “I have never stolen anything in my life.”
The tourist later told police that he had indeed taken the water bottles, believing they were free, which led to a misunderstanding.
On Sunday, officers from the nearby Chanasongkram Police Station detained Thongchai and another guard, Krisada, for questioning. Krisada, who was seen in the clip intervening between Thongchai and the clubgoer, was brought in after he refused to answer questions.
The venue said it was trying to contact the tourist to offer compensation.
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