Korean arrested in Thailand for punching elderly Briton in the face, says victim gave him 'dirty look







 

A Korean man in his 30s was arrested by Thai police after allegedly assaulting an elderly British man in front of a shopping center in Udon Thani Province, northeastern Thailand.

 
The 39-year-old Korean man is accused of punching the 81-year-old British man in the face in front of a shopping center in the city center on Sunday afternoon, according to a report by Thai news outlet The Thaiger on Monday.

The Korean man, who had just arrived at the shopping center in a taxi, reportedly struck up a conversation with the British man before suddenly punching him in the face. The blow left the British man with a cut above his eyebrow and blood-soaked clothes.
 
While the British man received first aid from the shopping center's medical staff, the Korean man allegedly continued shopping as if nothing had happened.
 
Police officers who responded to a report of the incident arrested the Korean man on the spot as he exited the shopping center.

During questioning, the Korean man claimed self-defense, saying he was in the middle of an argument with the taxi driver when the British man “gave him a dirty look” and “tried to touch him,” prompting him to throw a punch.

 
However, the British man reportedly told police that he had approached the Korean man out of concern after witnessing the altercation with the taxi driver and asked what was going on, when he was suddenly attacked.

 
The British man later filed a formal complaint at the police station after receiving medical treatment.

 
Thai police charged the Korean man with two offenses, including assault.

 
Under Thailand’s criminal code, assault is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,300). However, cases involving elderly victims can be handled more severely.

source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-09-11/national/socialAffairs/Korean-arrested-in-Thailand-for-punching-elderly-Briton-in-the-face-says-victim-have-him-dirty-look/2396813

Comprehension

Where did the incident take place?
How old was the Korean man?
How old was the British man?
What injury did the British man suffer?
What did the Korean man do after punching the British man?
What reason did the Korean man give for hitting the British man?
What did the British man say happened before the punch?
What is the maximum punishment for assault under Thailand’s criminal code?

Discussion

How do you feel about this incident?
Do you think the Korean man’s excuse of “self-defense” was believable? Why or why not?
How should people handle arguments in public places?
Should punishments be more severe when the victim is elderly? Why?
What should bystanders do when they see violence in public?
Have you ever witnessed an argument between strangers? What happened?
Why do you think some people lose their temper so quickly?
How important is self-control in daily life?
Do you think the Korean man should go to prison or just pay a fine?
What can governments do to reduce violent incidents like this?

Vocabulary

Assault – a physical attack on someone.
Elderly – used to describe an old person.
Incident – an event, usually something unusual or bad.
Altercation – a noisy argument or fight.
Complaint – a formal statement that something wrong or bad has happened.
Punishable – something that can be punished by law.
Concern – worry or care about someone or something.
Offense – a crime or something against the law.