"Tae Achiva" accompanied "Hia Tee" to meet police at Pattaya City Police Station, raising his hands in a traditional wai to apologize to society on behalf of the younger man. He declared his commitment to continue defending the dignity of Thai people. He admitted there are ill-wishers who have seized on issues of extortion to attack them. He emphasized that whenever they went to cases before, they acted sincerely and used their own money. He also challenged the village headman, asking what good deeds the ethnic Karen young man had done for the country, noting that for others, obtaining Thai nationality is not easy.
The case involved a video clip showing an ethnic Karen man being assaulted until he bled from the mouth in front of a bar and host club in South Pattaya, Moo 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The clip was shared on social media by “Hia Tee Hot Pan Steak” or “Hia Tee Thai Mai Ton” (real name: Aiwat Thitiwattanakanok, age 43, a member of the “Thai Mai Ton” group). The opponent, Mr. Det, 27, was identified as the man punished after allegedly assaulting a Thai person first. Some viewed this as defending Thai dignity, while others questioned the appropriateness of vigilante-style violence. Later, Mr. Suksawat Thabmanoch (Moddam Fangthon), a good citizen, and Mr. Thawatchai Chantralak (O, the Devil Twin) accompanied the victim, Mr. Det, an ethnic Karen from Ban Kao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, to file a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station against Aiwat Thitiwattanakanok, aka “Hia Tee Hot Pan Steak,” on charges of assault, unlawful detention, defamation by advertising, and inputting false information into a computer system.
At 17:30 (10 March 2026), Mr. Akkarawut Buranapon, or Tae Achiva, a member of the “Thai Mai Ton” group, took Mr. Aiwat Thitiwattanakanok, 43, or “Hia Tee Hot Pan Steak,” to meet police at Pattaya City Police Station to provide information regarding the incident. Mr. Aiwat appeared serious and said he had not slept for two days.
Mr. Akkarawut Buranapon, or Tae Achiva, told reporters that before the incident, "Tee," his junior and team member, had consulted him. He knew Mr. Det was a foreign national with a habit of being aggressive, assaulting, and disrespecting Thais, supported by witnesses among coworkers and people close to Mr. Det. Importantly, he wanted people to consider that holding a pink card mostly indicates foreign nationals from Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos working in Thailand. He questioned whether the village headman who called Mr. Det a good person had ever witnessed his behavior and whether he deserved Thai nationality, highlighting that others have struggled for years to obtain it—for example, Coach Che, the national Taekwondo coach, who took decades to gain Thai nationality.
Regarding the incident, he apologized to society on behalf of the younger man because he is part of the group, acknowledging that what was done was illegal and may not please everyone. He stated, “This is my nature and character; the dignity of Thai people is in my heart.” He admitted he could not tolerate the assault on a Thai person’s face and questioned where the well-meaning people were at the time to help. However, he accepted that Hia Tee’s actions were wrong and must be dealt with legally. He also sought support, explaining that those who helped file the complaint against him are from a group that previously lost a case he filed and are trying to use this to attack him. There are also issues about extortion being used to target him, but he emphasized that when involved in cases, he acted with heart and personal money, as everyone has their own jobs. He wanted to clarify this point.
Reporters also spoke with the original complainant, Mr. Pramot Kotkam, or Palm, 33, who claimed he was slapped by Mr. Det on 28 February simply because Mr. Det was upset about losing a game. Although Palm is a junior, Mr. Det assaulted and threatened him. Palm said he feared for his safety as he was new to the job.
Previously, Mr. Det had problems with another friend that escalated to physical conflict, but they reconciled. On 1 March, the day of the incident, Mr. Det confronted a pregnant cashier at the venue. Palm intervened to stop Mr. Det and was upset by his behavior. Palm then complained to the “Hia Tee” page but only about being slapped. On 2 March, Hia Tee brought people to discipline Mr. Det as shown in the clip, which sparked online criticism questioning why he did not respond immediately. Palm said he was afraid of trouble due to threats and being new to the job, so he feared for his safety.
Ms. Kanyaporn Pho Kaew, 36, a woman shown in the clip fighting with Mr. Det, came to the police and confirmed that on the day in question, Mr. Det tried to enter the cashier’s room and provoke trouble, even attempting to assault her, prompting staff to intervene. The conflict originated from Mr. Det’s dissatisfaction with the bar tab and complimentary fruit, leading him to insult the bar staff. Her husband, who works at the same bar, was upset and joined in the assault on Mr. Det as shown in the clip. She confirmed that Mr. Det often verbally abused staff regularly.
Recently, Pattaya City Police summoned Hia Tee for questioning, accompanied by “Tae Achiva,” Mr. Palm, and the waitress present during the incident. Police will also summon others who were with Hia Tee on the day, including Mr. Phut, Tiw, and two women, to take statements and proceed according to the law.
Further updates will be reported in due course.