A video that recently surfaced, showing a group of Middle-Eastern tourists held at gunpoint in Pattaya, has been confirmed as a hoax by local police. Two Myanmar workers involved in the prank now face potential imprisonment.
Arrests and Confiscation
The two Myanmar men, aged 25 and 22, were apprehended at a convenience store on Soi Bongkot Road. Police seized a pistol-shaped cigarette lighter and clothing items seen in the 99-minute video. The arrest took place on a Wednesday afternoon, and police revealed details the following Thursday.
Interrogation and Disclosure
Kaeo Saw, one of the suspects, disclosed during questioning that the tourists encountered them while they were resting at the Sor Thor Ro 5 hill viewpoint on Tuesday. The tourists asked him to pose as a gunman holding them hostage, demanding money after seeing him use the pistol-shaped lighter. They also requested his Myanmar friend to film the act using their smartphone, intending to post the video on social media.
Potential Charges
The Myanmar men may face charges of spreading false information, which carries penalties of up to one month in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht. If the perpetrators are found to have deliberately aimed to tarnish Pattaya’s image, they could face computer crime charges, which might result in up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
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Please note that this article does not provide any conclusions or reflections on the issue.
