June 13 sixty-year old American national, Steve Short, a Thai resident of sixteen years, pulled up at the Tesco Lotus on Naklua 16, Wongamat, to pick up some supplies.
On leaving he was confronted by an angry motorbike taxi driver, who is also well-known in the area as an airport-run taxi driver, who insisted Mr Short had parked in his ‘personal space’ on the forecourt of Tesco Lotus, Soi 16. Watched by Tesco staff the taxi driver, known locally as ‘Bang Bang’ threw Mr Short’s motorbike into a wall and then onto the ground.
After remonstrating, Mr Short quickly rode away only to notice Bang Bang chase after him and then try to pull him off his motorcycle. He followed the American to his home at Siam Penthouse, also on Soi 16, and confronted him in the parking lot, only to be prevented by the condo security guard. Incandescent Bang Bang then loudly proclaimed that he was ‘Mafia’ and was going to kill Mr Short.
The building manager and security guard refused to call the police, despite threats of murder.
The following morning Mr Short made a full report to Pattaya Police Station, with the officer acknowledging that he knew who ‘Bang Bang’ was, only to be told to call back after he had been attacked.
Over the following weeks Mr Short had to endure passing Bang Bang and his taxi driving colleagues, due to the cul-de-sac that Soi 16 is, only to be abused, shouted at, threatened and sometimes chased, as they ‘knew he had been to the police.’ The threats again included the threat of death.
Bang Bang and his two thugs have been reported by local security guards several times outside the Siam Penthouse using obvious intimidation tactics.
On the morning of July 19 Mr Short discovered bullet holes in the front of his car. Local witnesses have confirmed that Bang Bang and his colleagues had been seen in the area at the time of the attack. The witnesses, spoken to by Pattaya One reporters, are too frightened to be named.
The police were called to the scene and recovered three projectiles fired from a lethal ball bearing compressed air gun. Pattaya police officers referred the matter to Banglamung District, who then referred the matter back to Pattaya police station. Eventually Mr Short was able to make another statement to officers explaining he is now in fear of his life over a minor and petty parking disagreement in an otherwise quiet Soi.
Officers responded by handing him back the forensic evidence they found at the scene of the crime (see pictures). One of them was lodged inside a broken street light. Despite this evidence they have advised Mr Short, an American Military Veteran, to apologize to Bang Bang and the matter would be over. Despite serious damage to his property it would seem no action will be taken.
The condo manager and Mr Short’s own Thai wife, of ten-years, have also advised him to apologize to Bang Bang and forget about the assaults and threats to his life or it will always be a ‘problem for him.’
This afternoon local Soi 16 Wongamat Security Guards have again reported Bang Bang and his two cohorts have been waiting in the Soi for Mr Short and again the police have failed to respond.
The American is now re-considering his residency in Thailand.