Pattaya drunken brawl: Construction worker dies, Brit arrested

Thai police have provided an update on a drunken fight in Pattaya that left a Western Australian man dead and a British tourist under arrest. The tragic brawl, which occurred outside the Walk In Mansion Hotel in Pattaya, saw the Aussie construction worker lose his life after an altercation with a 29 year old British man.

The construction worker, 58 year old John Max Neale, originally from Leicester, had been drinking with the British tourist in the early hours of Friday morning, September 27, when things spiralled out of control.

Thai police reported that the 29 year old punched Neale, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Despite paramedics performing CPR and rushing him to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Neale could not be revived.

Witnesses and CCTV footage appear to back the allegations against the unnamed British man, though he continues to deny any wrongdoing. Police Major Tanongsak Inphadung said, “He refused to say anything, even though we had an interpreter, and he will get a lawyer to defend the lawsuit.”

The cause of the fight remains unclear but police suspect alcohol played a major role in the fatal encounter. Both men were staying on the same floor of the hotel, and Neale had been seen drinking for hours before the incident. Police are awaiting autopsy results to confirm whether Neale was also intoxicated.

Neale, who moved to Perth from the UK, owned a construction consulting business. Just two months before his death, he had purchased a house in Newman, Western Australia, for 480,000 Aussie dollars (around 10.8 million baht), reported the Daily Mail UK.

ORIGINAL STORY: Booze-fuelled bromance ends in bloody Brit brawl tragedy

Tragedy struck in the early hours of September 27 as a raucous row between two supposed mates spiralled into violence, leaving an Australian man dead at the hands of his British drinking partner.

The unnamed Aussie and his 29 year old British friend were enjoying a beer-fuelled evening when things took a sinister twist outside their hotel in the notorious nightlife hub of Pattaya, Thailand. As dawn approached, the amiable atmosphere soured, erupting into a full-blown street brawl that had horrified locals watching in sheer terror.

Pandemonium ensued as the Brit allegedly landed a devastating knockout punch, causing the unnamed 58 year old Australian to slam his head against the pavement. Medics rushed to the scene around 4.30am and found the unfortunate man sprawled on the ground, unresponsive. Despite desperate attempts to perform CPR, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

Police Major Tanongsak Inphadung from Pattaya City Police Station confirmed the grim outcome and named the Brit as the prime suspect. According to Tanongsak, the cause of death remains under investigation, though the Briton’s guilt appears indisputable given the damning evidence, reported News.com.

“We have conclusive security camera footage from the restaurant and testimonies from four present Thai witnesses.

“The suspect continues to deny the charges but our evidence speaks volumes. Tomorrow, we’ll request his detention at Pattaya Remand Prison. Despite using an interpreter, he remains tight-lipped and seeks legal representation.”

Tanongsak also highlighted the fact that both men were heavily intoxicated, adding that the autopsy results may reveal more about the deceased’s condition at the time. Though they were tenants on the same floor, the precise cause of the fiery dispute remains a mystery.

Despite efforts to transform the area into a more family-friendly destination, the seedy underbelly of sex tourism and rampant nightlife continues to cast a shadow over the coastal resort.

While local officials are embarrassed by the incident, the tragic end to this night of debauchery serves as a stark reminder of Pattaya’s dark allure.