Korean Live-Streaming at Thai Massage Shop... Owner Malrin Arrested on Assault Charges

Owner Claims "Multiple Unauthorized Filming"
Owner Dislocated Shoulder Blade, Boyfriend Has Broken Nose

A Korean man who was doing a 'live broadcast' at a massage shop in the famous Thai tourist destination Pattaya was arrested on charges of assaulting the owner who tried to stop him.

On the 15th, the local media Bangkok Post reported that around 12:36 a.m. the previous day, a Korean man identified as Mr. A was arrested on charges of assaulting a woman in her 40s, the owner Ms. B, at a massage shop in the Bang Lamung area of Pattaya. Ms. B claimed that Mr. A had visited the shop several times and conducted live broadcasts without consent. She said that at first, she allowed the filming considering that Mr. A was a tourist, but on the day of the incident, Mr. A suddenly opened the curtain, startling a customer receiving an oil massage, so she had to stop the filming. Ms. B pushed Mr. A, who was filming with his phone, telling him not to film recklessly, and Mr. A grabbed Ms. B’s arm and knocked her down, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. It was also reported that Ms. B’s Korean boyfriend was hit by Mr. A and suffered a broken nose during the incident.

On the 14th, Pattaya police in Thailand are looking at the owner of a massage parlor who is being carried on a stretcher. Bangkok Post social media (SNS)

The media reported that Mr. A continued the live broadcast even while the commotion was happening. He only stopped the broadcast after the police arrived at the scene. Pattaya police are proceeding with legal action against Mr. A, but his identity has not been disclosed.

Meanwhile, recently in Thailand, there has been an increase in Korean YouTubers and others causing displeasure by conducting reckless personal broadcasts.

Last month, a Korean man in his 40s who was arrested in Thailand on drug charges caused controversy by doing live broadcasts from the escort vehicle and detention center. This man, arrested in Chonburi, showed the inside of the detention center on his smartphone and chatted with subscribers in real time, and also did live broadcasts during transport. Additionally, a YouTuber in his 20s who streamed sexually provocative behavior online in Thailand in February to March last year was sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year probation by a Korean court in the first trial in October of the same year.

Furthermore, in March last year, a Korean man caused controversy by approaching a Thai woman on the street and filming without permission, which led to critical reports locally. Because of this, the Korean Embassy in Thailand at the time urged, "Filming without consent may be punishable in Thailand due to privacy protection and portrait rights infringement," and requested, "Please be especially careful not to damage the national dignity through unfortunate incidents."