Five teens arrested after violent Pattaya Beach birthday clash

Five teenagers from Thailand were arrested after attacking a group of teens who travelled from another province to celebrate a birthday in Pattaya. The incident escalated into the violence on Pattaya Beach, resulting in many injuries.

The Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, yesterday, August 4, around 9.30pm, led officers in the apprehension of the five suspects. The altercation, which took place early in the morning, left two teenagers injured, one of them seriously.

The suspects, aged between 16 and 26, confessed to the assault but claimed it was in self-defence. They alleged that the victims initiated the attack with knives, which led to a struggle and subsequent injuries to him. The police have withheld the names of those involved in the crime.

The teenagers are now in police custody and are being processed for legal action, reported the Pattaya News.

In related news, Pattaya police arrested Simon Leonardus Petrus Sjerps, a 63 year old former Dutch soldier, for illegal drug possession and potential drug manufacturing activities. The arrest occurred after a raid on his condominium in Central Pattaya, where police discovered crystal methamphetamine and equipment suggestive of date-rape drug production.

The operation was initiated when patrol officers identified Sjerps carrying meth in clear plastic zip bags. Subsequent investigations in his condo revealed a setup for small-scale drug production, including precursor chemicals, drug paraphernalia, and items like Viagra and jelly candy wrappers, possibly linked to drug concealment or production.

Sjerps admitted to using meth and experimenting with the production of another drug, though he had not completed the process.

He faces charges related to drug possession and use, with potential additional charges pending further investigation. This incident coincides with Thailand’s ongoing discussions about drug regulation, particularly concerning the reclassification of cannabis and hemp products with over 0.2% THC as narcotics by January 2025.