THE Chinese embassy called on Thailand to promptly investigate and resolve a fracas involving a Chinese citizen and security staff at a book fair who had allegedly used excessive force against her, Amarin TV said this evening (July 27).
The embassy said it has been informed of the incident and received a statement from GMM TV Co., Ltd., organiser of “International Novel Festival 2026” at Bangkok’s Samyan Mitrtown acknowledging that “excessive force was used.”
In calling for a prompt investigation of the facts and taking appropriate action to resolve the issue, the Chinese embassy said it would provide appropriate assistance to Chinese citizens within the scope of its duties.
The heated clash took place during a special event to meet artistes. According to the rules, one person would get one seat with reserving or transferring seats strictly prohibited, Naewna newspaper said.
However, the Chinese attendee took a seat a Thai participant vacated and was about to give to a friend. It was reported that this Chinese participant had purchased a reservation from a booking service, a clear violation of the event’s rules from the outset.
Staff attempted to negotiate, presenting photographic evidence that she was not in the queue and repeatedly asking her to leave. However, the Chinese woman ignored them, remained engrossed in her mobile phone, and shook off a staff member’s arm.
The negotiation dragged on for 10-20 minutes, after which the row escalated into physical confrontation when staff tried to remove her and shielded her camera to prevent filming of their action. The Chinese woman got enraged and kicked a female staff member in the leg, prompting other staff to intervene and restrain her. This was deemed a standard safety procedure in response to violent behaviour.
Chinese perspective
Chinese social media said that this woman had been waiting since 6 a.m. and had evidence confirming her queue reservation, but was accused by a Thai participant of jumping the queue.
The Chinese side claimed that staff refused to verify the evidence and immediately resorted to violence, including snatching the Chinese woman’s phone, pressing her neck, and dragging her.
They also claimed the Chinese woman kicked out of “self-defence” before being thrown to the ground by a “long-haired male security guard,” resulting in official merchandise being damaged and clothes torn.
This incident sparked outrage on Chinese social media, with hashtags protesting violence, threats to boycott Thai artistes, and demands for an apology and punishment. Rumours also circulated that the event organiser was preparing to sue the woman for damaging the image of tourism.
Counterarguments by Thais
On the other hand Thai attendees who were present at the scene vehemently refuted these claims, presenting video evidence clearly showing that all the personnel involved were “female staff,” not male security guards as the Chinese media misrepresented.
Furthermore, the claim of waiting since early morning is invalid, as the mall opened at 10 a.m., contradicting the reality. The full video footage shows that the staff member did not initiate the chokehold or use violence. Instead, the Chinese woman resisted and kicked a female staff member, causing them both to fall to the ground.
This incident also sparked criticism from Thai netizens regarding the provocative behaviour of some foreign participants in events, such as queue jumping and not following the rules.
The conflict escalated when some Chinese attendees hurled verbal abuse at Thai participants, further increasing dissatisfaction on the Thai side.
CAPTION:
This and Front Page: Staff take action against a Chinese woman who refused to vacate a seat. Photos – Amarin TV
Watch video shared on Facebook by Arkaramanee Chindaratanavorakul:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DN8WKZaqp/
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