A Thai security guard at a pub at Bangkok’s Khaosan area has been dismissed after he allegedly slapped the face of a tourist accused of stealing a bottle of drinking water.

The management of “The Club Khaosan” said, in a statement issued today (Sunday), that it regrets the incident, which occurred at about 2am this morning, during which a guard, identified as “Thongchai”, struck a tourist on the face twice and had him placed in handcuffs.

The tourist claims that he did not intentionally steal the water,but thought that it was free for the pub’s customers.

The management offered an apology to the tourist and is trying to locate the victim to compensate him for the incident, adding that it has filed a complaint with Chana Songkhram police against its former guard.

Pol Col Sanong Saengmanee, the superintendent of Chana Songkhram police station, said there was a miscommunication between the guard and the tourist, prompting the guard to assault the tourist.  Another guard intervened, but the incident was recorded on the smart phone of a Thai female, who thenuploaded the clip to social media.

The police officer added that he will invite security guards from all the pubs in the Khaosan area to a meeting, at which they will be reminded of how to look after and ensure safety for tourists.

He also said that police will try to locate the tourist, so they can file a formal complaint, and will summon the guard for questioning.