Coffee vendor banned for 30 days after altercation with tourist (video)

A coffee shop owner at Talad Rom Hub train market in Mae Klong district has been ordered to close his shop for 30 days following a vulgar gesture towards a Spanish tourist.

Captured on video, the vendor was seen pushing and yelling at the tourist, a clip that swiftly spread across social media, inciting a public outcry. The Maeklong railway station office confirmed the shop’s location on property owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and issued a formal letter to the vendor.

The vendor received a 30-day suspension and a stern warning that any repeat of such misconduct would result in a permanent ban from the market. This action followed an investigation by local tourist police, where the coffee vendor, Jame, reportedly confessed to the misconduct.

Jame recently released a video apologising to the tourist and the Thai public for his actions, reported Bangkok Post.

An investigation led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Anatchai Konthong, a senior tourist police inspector, revealed that Jame had indeed pushed the tourist away from his shopfront. Pol. Lt. Col. Anatchai emphasised that the spot where the incident occurred belongs to the SRT and that Jame holds no ownership rights.

In related news, a photo posted on a popular social media page in Phuket on August 12 ignited controversy after capturing a brawl on Karon Beach. The image depicted a group of Indian tourists in a physical altercation with local workers responsible for managing beach umbrellas.

The caption accompanying the post read: #Clashing! Brawl on Karon Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province. A group of Indian tourists clashed with what appears to be local umbrella workers, possibly due to a misunderstanding. #SeaBoxing #Phuket.

The incident took place on Karon Beach, where one local was seen forcefully engaging with the tourists, throwing punches. This post rapidly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions from social media users.