Two brothers attacked over refusal to buy illegal fuel in Pattaya

Two brothers were brutally attacked by a group of men after refusing to purchase illegal fuel in Pattaya, Thailand. The assailants, including a cement truck driver, fled the scene before police arrived.

The incident occurred yesterday, July 2, at 10.30pm outside a grocery store in Moo 5, Khao Mai Kaew, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. Rescue volunteers and police responded to the scene, where they found the injured brothers, 21 year old Phutthiphong, and 27 year old Phuridech. Both had sustained knife wounds to their left arms. First aid was administered before they were transported to the hospital.

Phutthiphong recounted that he and his brother worked in a factory in Rayong. The altercation began when a group of men approached them to sell illegal fuel syphoned from a cement mixer truck. Despite having no prior acquaintance with the men, the brothers declined the offer. Shortly after, the group, consisting of five to six individuals, attacked them, leading to a chaotic scene involving knives.

The 60 year old owner of the grocery store, Roem, witnessed the incident. She recognised the main aggressor as a cement truck driver who had previously attempted to sell fuel at 900 baht (US$24) per barrel. However, when the price increased to 950 baht (US$26), the brothers refused to buy.

Initially, the driver seemed to accept the refusal.

“If you won’t buy it, I’ll just take it back to the truck.”

However, the situation quickly escalated when the driver called in his associates.

Roem described the attack as merciless, with the group storming into the store and attacking the brothers despite their attempts to seek refuge. The altercation left the store in disarray and the brothers were injured.

CCTV footage captured the incident clearly, showing a heated argument between the brothers and the group of fuel sellers. The confrontation turned physical when one of the assailants grabbed Phuridech by the collar and punched him.

In self-defence, Phuridech brandished a knife but he was unprepared for the fact that the attackers were also armed. The situation devolved into a violent knife fight, resembling a scene from an action film, reported KhaoSod.

Following the attack, the group of men swiftly fled, leaving the injured brothers lying in a pool of blood inside the store. The police are currently investigating the incident, using the CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.