PATTAYA — A motorcycle taxi driver turned himself in to police on Sunday morning after allegedly stabbing an Indian tourist, claiming he had been frightened by the noise of birthday fireworks. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Thanwa, turned himself in to Pattaya City Police shortly before 4 a.m. on December 28.

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The incident occurred just after midnight during a birthday celebration. According to investigators, Thanwa—who works as a ride-hailing driver—admitted to stabbing the tourist but stated the act was a panicked reaction to hearing fireworks.

Witnesses at the party, however, disputed his account, telling police that no fireworks were set off. They reported that the only loud noises came from popping balloons. Surveillance footage from the scene also contradicts the driver’s explanation, showing Thanwa lunging at the tourist and stabbing him in the back.

Meanwhile in Pattaya
Indian tourist celebrating his birthday at a bar in Pattaya this morning was stabbed by a mobile app motorbike taxi driver who approached the group and seemingly unprovoked attacked the victim. The suspect was later taken into custody, blaming fireworks pic.twitter.com/AxBO4kBV9A

— Dino (@Dino_mite2050) December 29, 2025

Police were able to identify and track the suspect after the license plate of his motorcycle was clearly captured on security cameras as he fled the area.

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Authorities are awaiting the Indian tourist’s condition to stabilize before conducting a formal interview. While the suspect remains in custody, formal charges have not yet been finalized pending the victim’s statement and a full investigation into the motive.

-Thailand News (TN)