Pol Col Prateung Ponmana of Kathu Police said that police were called by a staff member of a bar on the beach road, near the intersection with Soi Sea Pearl.
The barman told officers that the German and his wife were crossing the road when they were almost run over by a motorbike with two Asian men on board, being driven at high speed.
The German waved his middle finger at the two men. Seeing this, they turned around, came back and proceeded to give him a robust lesson in minding his manners, using their fists and feet.
Having cut his head and given him a bloody nose, they then sped off again.
The victim, Jefrey Rokels, 47, was taken to Patong Hospital where a couple of stitches were inserted in the wound on his scalp.