A Japanese man died Sunday after two Thai men beat him Friday night outside his restaurant in the eastern Thai coastal district of Si Racha, Chonburi Province, police said.
Police in Si Racha, about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, said they do not know why the two men assaulted 51-year-old Yoshio Kinebuchi, but said the men tried to steal his necklace but did not take any money. They fled by motorcycle.
Police suspect Kinebuchi had business-related problems because his restaurant is one of some 20 others competing in the crowded industrial area. He had run his eatery there for more than 10 years.
Kinebuchi's Thai wife, Prapit Thongkhao, told police that her husband and their 5-year-old daughter, Miho, were outside the restaurant when the two men approached. The two started hitting Kinebuchi all over his body until he collapsed, according to police.