Drunk American trashes Jomtien beer bar

A DRUNKEN American tourist has been arrested after an altercation at the Dodo Beer Bar on Jomtien Beach Road where he allegedly assaulted several people before wreaking havoc and destroying property.

The incident took place at about 2am on Friday night, when Dong Dan Police Investigator Captain Pradiput Phumon received a report that a foreigner in an inebriated state was damaging property and causing a disturbance at the Dodo Beer Bar, Soi 7 at Jomtien Beach Road.

A team of police officers and rescue volunteers were called to the venue to investigate.

At the scene, police witnessed a foreigner, now known to be Mr John W. Lechleitner, 60, from the US, who was shouting and throwing furniture at another foreigner, Mr Pallae Sondergard, 44, from Denmark. 

Mr Sondergard sustained a small gash to the forehead and was attempting to avoid Mr Lechleitner’s assault.  Offers quickly subdued and arrested Mr Lechleitner before he did any further damage to the venue of harmed anyone else, while rescue officers attended to Mr Sondergard’s injuries.

Mr Lechleitner’s girlfriend was interrogated and told police that she arrived at the bar to find her boyfriend of two years in a drunken state.  After confronting her boyfriend about why he had become so drunk, he allegedly slapped her in the face. 

At this point, Mr Sondergard intervened in an attempt to break up the argument, at which point Mr Lechleitner punched him in the face.

The owner of the bar, Miss Pranee Chumpiean, said that Mr Lechleitner had destroyed several beer glasses and a table and chair during the incident, and would discuss the matter of compensation when Mr Lechleitner is sober.

Mr Lechleitner was taken to the police station at which point he would be interrogated and possible charged over the incident.