Brit, 36, ‘stabs Japanese tourist to death’ in infamous Thai resort as video shows couple fighting in street

A British man has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly stabbing a Japanese tourist to death after the pair argued in the street.

David Maensiri, 36, is said to have been arguing with his girlfriend when Japanese passerby Seita Tanabe, 27, tried to intervene.

However, David is said to have turned his anger on the well-meaning holidaymaker, causing a blow in Thailand’s ‘Sin City’ Pattaya on December 29.

The suspect, who also has Thai nationality, allegedly pulled out a knife during the altercation and stabbed it into Seita’s chest.

Dramatic footage shows Seita, wearing a white shirt, charging at the Brit from across the street before leaping towards him as his girlfriend desperately shouts for him to be stopped.

But this led to an angry altercation between the pair and a witness recalled seeing David punch the Japanese tourist in the face.

Bank, 22, said: ‘They parted ways but not long afterwards the Japanese tried to retaliate with another blow, causing another scuffle.

‘Everyone tried to stop them, but it was too late. The suspect took out a knife and stabbed the Japanese in front of everyone.’

Captain Wuttikorn Plodprong of Pattaya City Police Station said police received a report at 6:06 am.

They arrived on scene, where medics performed 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 showed a bruised David being handcuffed and dragged into a pickup truck after the attack.

The Brit was described as drunk and ruthless, even flashing a rock ‘n’ roll hand sign at police as he sat in the back of the truck.

David was taken to a hospital for a dislocated shoulder, abrasions and head injuries.

Plodprong said: “We inspected the scene and took photos as evidence.

“We are gathering more evidence to take legal action against the suspect.”
Deputy Inspector Itthiporn Tangchuthaweesap of Pattaya City Police Station said, “A meticulous investigation is underway to build a case against the suspect.

‘The aim is that legal proceedings are conducted thoroughly and fairly.’

It comes as a British tourist is being investigated following the death of a Thai sex worker who was found dead in his hotel room – after he claimed he had not noticed her rotting corpse for four days.

Bearach Beataidh, 71, was reportedly seen kissing and holding hands with Duangta Khampongsom, 45, when 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 four days later on December 22 coming out of the room looking nervous.

Building manager Prayoon Chinsai, 57, called police later that morning when he noticed a foul odor coming from the room.

When he knocked and no one answered, he used a spare key to open the door, only to discover the woman’s half-naked body rotting on the bed.

Officers arrived at the building and found the holidaymaker, who also has an Irish passport, in a nearby bar.

He said he was aware of the body but did not report it to police because he claimed he “didn’t know she was dead.”

Police Captain Puttharak Sonkhamhan of the Pattaya City Police Station said officers are further questioning Bearach about his statements.

The former fishing village of Pattaya became popular with US troops during ‘rest and relaxation breaks’ in the 1960s, when the US military had bases in Thailand.

In the following years, the coastal town grew into a semi-barbaric sex tourism destination.

Embarrassed officials have made progress in gentrifying the region with family tourism projects, but a voracious nightlife industry and corrupt police have hampered their efforts, meaning unwanted people from all countries continue to gravitate to the seedy city.