A Belgian pensioner was punched by a Thai man in a shocking road rage attack.

Retired expat Dany Adolf Snauwaert, 70, had confronted the local driver who was allegedly shouting at his granddaughter, 7, on a road in Chonburi province on October 16.

However, the Thai motorist in a white polo shirt suddenly lunged at the pensioner, breaking the older man's nose and several rib bones in a vicious beating that was caught on camera.

Dany's Thai wife Panissara Thannaree, 50, took him to a hospital for his injuries. The couple filed a complaint with local police on the same day.

Panissara said the road rage incident happened after her granddaughter left her bike in the middle of the road to run away from stray dogs.

The unnamed Thai driver did not see the two-wheeler and struck it, damaging his pickup truck. He became furious and blew up at the youngster, with his screams drawing Dany's attention.

Thinking his granddaughter had been severely injured, the Belgian reportedly exclaimed 'f--k', which was said to have angered the Thai man who thought he was being insulted.

Police have summoned both parties to the station, but the unrepentant Thai man insisted that the couple pay for the damages to his car.

Meanwhile, Panissara demanded 40,000 THB (1,100 USD) for medical expenses and 300,000 THB (8,340 USD) in compensation from the suspect for the attack.

She said: 'The man even threatened that he would drive us away from the province if we refused to pay for his car repairs. I later heard from other villagers that he had a bad reputation, and would often intimidate those who cross him.'

The battered pensioner Dany said he was shocked that such a thing could happen to him in Thailand.

He said: 'I've never had any dislike for Thai people and I don't want to think negatively of them, especially after living in Thailand for over 20 years. But in Belgium, that man would have been arrested and placed in jail on the same day.

'He was not acting normal. It was like he was on drugs. He was a grown man shouting at a small girl. He gives the country a bad reputation.'

The couple said they have also sought help from Ekkaphop Luangprasert, the advisor to the Ministry of Interior.

The official said: 'The attack should never have happened. It occurred because of a misunderstanding, and the Thai man's inability to control his temper. However, there is no need to elevate the case to the Interior Ministry. I believe the local police can handle this swiftly.'