A BRITISH man was allegedly beaten up after trying to attract customers to his Thai girlfriend's pub — by rival bar owners.

Adam Shields, 39, said he was set upon as he waited for his partner Yupawadee Tiangtham, 32, outside of her bar in Pattaya, eastern Thailand on Tuesday night.

5 Adam Shields claims he was attacked by three crazed Thai men who repeatedly punched him after trying to attract customers to his girlfriend's pub Credit: Viral Press

5 His girlfriend Yupawadee Tiangtham points to the spot he was allegedly attacked Credit: Viral Press

The 39-year-old told the police that three crazed Thai men pounced on him and repeatedly punched him as he cowered on the ground.

The alleged attackers eventually relented and fled, leaving the Englishman with cuts and bruises on his face.

"I arrived on a motorcycle and the men attacked me straight away," Mr Shields recalled.

"I fell down and they were hitting me like boxing — there were three people.''

I arrived on a motorcycle and the men attacked me straight away Adam Shields

The Brit's Thai girlfriend Yupawadee Tiangtham, 32, said she believed the attackers were angry because their custom has dropped since her boyfriend started helping her.

She said: "One of the attackers own a bar nearby and I bought mine from him.

"The place that I bought has many customers now because my boyfriend helps me talk to them, so his bar doesn't have so many people.

"They are upset about this, but it's wrong to attack us because customers have the right to decide which place they want to drink."

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Police said they had received a report about the attack and will question the suspects.

Police Lieutenant Chanikarn Puenpinit said the alleged attack could damage the image of tourism in the city, best known for its round-the clock sex industry and as a safe-haven for foreign criminals.

She said: "Tourism here is now very slow due to the COVID-19 virus and this incident could only make thing worse because the tourists will feel insecure."

5 Mr Shields said he later admitted himself to hospital after sustaining cuts and bruises to his face Credit: Viral Press

5 The attack happened outside the Lagoon bar in Pattaya, eastern Thailand on Tuesday night Credit: Google