A Scottish mother has described her horror after her fiancé was brutally assaulted in Thailand following a dispute over a damaged jet ski. Shannon McGinn, 29, from Edinburgh, lives in Phuket with her fiancé Natthapol 'Boon' Deiteiam, who runs a jet ski rental business. On July 7, 2026, Boon rented two Yamaha jet skis to an American family for £78 for a 30-minute ride. Upon return, he discovered damage worth £560—a crack in the fibreglass side panel of one watercraft—and claims the family walked away without paying.
Attack Caught on CCTV
Shocking CCTV footage shows a male US tourist grabbing Boon, slamming him to the ground, and punching him five times in the face. Shannon said: "Every time I watch the video it makes me wince and curl up into a ball. For someone to do that to another person is immoral." Boon sustained facial fractures and was taken to Patong Hospital by colleagues. He has since been discharged. Shannon added: "When I visited him in the hospital, he was unrecognisable. I have never seen a face like that before, it was swollen like a balloon."
Suspect Arrested at Airport
Patong Police Station confirmed that a 25-year-old US national was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 8 as he tried to flee the country. He is accused of assault causing physical and mental harm and faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. A police statement read: "On July 8, at 3.30pm officers from Patong Police Station successfully apprehended a 25-year-old U.S. national at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he was attempting to flee the country." The incident gained significant social media attention, leading to the arrest.
Background and Aftermath
Shannon, a kindergarten teacher, met Boon in 2024 after buying a one-way ticket to Thailand. They plan to marry later this year. Before the attack, Boon was heard on video asking the man, "Why did you not pay?" The family had signed a contract acknowledging liability for damage. Shannon noted: "The whole side piece will need replacing. The jet ski could no longer be used as water can get in it and damage the engine." Patong Police and the US Embassy have been approached for comment.
