A British man has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly stabbing a Japanese tourist to death after the pair brawled in the street.
David Maensiri, 36, was said to be having a row with his girlfriend when Japanese passer-by Seita Tanabe, 27, attempted to intervene.
However, David allegedly turned his fury on the well-meaning holidaymaker, sparking a punch-up in Thai ‘Sin City’ Pattaya on December 29.
The suspect, who also has Thai nationality, was said to have pulled out a knife during the altercation which he plunged into Seita’s chest.
Dramatic footage shows Seita in a white shirt charging at the Brit from across the street before leaping on to him as his girlfriend desperately called out to stop him.
But this sparked a furious altercation between the pair and a witness recalled seeing David punch the Japanese tourist in the face.
Bank, 22, said: ‘They separated, but not long after, the Japanese tried to retaliate with another punch, causing another scuffle.
‘Everyone tried to stop them but it was too late. The suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the Japanese in front of everyone.’
A British dual national, David Maensiri, was arrested for allegedly murdering a Japanese tourist in Thailand
He was described as drunk and remorseless, even flashing a rock-and-roll hand sign at the cops upon his arrest
Police Captain Wuttikorn Plodprong of the Pattaya City Police Station said: ‘We have inspected the scene and taken photos as evidence
Police Captain Wuttikorn Plodprong of the Pattaya City Police Station said cops received a report at 6:06am.
They arrived at the scene, where medics were performing CPR on Seita who had a deep stab wound in his chest.
He was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Footage then showed a bruised David being handcuffed and hauled into a pickup truck following the attack.
The Brit was described as drunk and remorseless, and he even flashed a rock-and-roll hand sign at the cops while he was sitting in the back of the truck.
David was taken to a hospital for a dislocated shoulder, abrasions, and head injuries.
Plodprong said: ‘We have inspected the scene and taken photos as evidence.
‘We are collecting more evidence in order to take legal action against the suspect.’
Deputy Inspector Itthiporn Tangchuthaweesap of the Pattaya City Police Station said: ‘A meticulous investigation is ongoing to build a case against the suspect.
‘The aim is to ensure legal proceedings are pursued thoroughly and justly.’
It comes after a British tourist is being investigated over the death of a Thai sex worker who was found dead in his hotel room – after he claimed he did not notice her decaying corpse for four day.
Cops received a report of the brutal attack at around 6am and David was thrown into the back of a pick up truck
Police arrived at the scene, where medics were performing CPR on Seita who had a deep stab wound in his chest
Bearach Beataidh, 71, was reportedly seen kissing and holding hands with Duangta Khampongsom, 45, as he took her to his bedroom at a guest house in ‘Sin City’ Pattaya in eastern Thailand on December 18.
But she was never seen alive again.
Bearach, from County Down, Northern Ireland, was captured on CCTV emerging from the room looking nervous four days later on December 22.
Building caretaker Prayoon Chinsai, 57, called police later that morning when he noticed a foul odour coming from the room.
When he knocked and no one answered, he used a spare key to open the door – only to find the woman’s half-naked body rotting on the bed.
Officers arrived at the building and found the holidaymaker, who also holds an Irish passport, at a nearby bar.
He said he was aware of the body but did not file a report with police as he claimed he ‘did not know she was dead’.
Police Captain Puttharak Sonkhamhan of the Pattaya City Police Station said officers are questioning Bearach further over his statements.
Former fishing village Pattaya became popular with American troops on ‘rest and relaxation’ breaks in the 1960s when the US military had bases in Thailand.
In the ensuing years, the coastal resort spawned into a semi-barbarous sex-tourism destination.
Embarrassed officials have made progress in gentrifying the region with family tourism projects but a ravenous nightlife industry and corrupt police have hampered their efforts, with undesirables from all nations still attracted to the seedy city.