A Furious American pensioner allegedly strangled a policeman in Thailand.

John Brand Matthews Jr., 72, reportedly barged into a restaurant and attacked Police Colonel Attaporn Premjit, 59, who was having dinner in Ratchaburi province on March 6.

The American expat was said to have nearly choked Attaporn to death before the restaurant owner named Phen intervened and kicked him out of the eatery. He stormed out of the restaurant, hurling abuse at the cop who was left gasping for air.

Restaurant owner Phen said: 'The American man arrived and charged towards Attaporn immediately. They didn't even speak or argue with each other before he attacked him.

'I was scared he would kill Attaporn if I did not stop him. His eyes were already rolling back from the lack of air.'

Attaporn complained to the Mueang Ratchaburi Police following the incident.

The officer said he knew John as they previously lived in the same village. He claimed that John was notorious for causing trouble and irritating his neighbours, resulting in his eviction from the neighbourhood for alleged bullying and assault in 2021.

He said he never had any problems with John personally, so he was confused about why he was attacked.

John and his Thai wife Nittaya later sent two crates of oranges to Attaporn as an apology, with the expat promising to repent and behave.

However, the indignant policeman said: 'What he did tarnished my honour as a policeman. I want him to be punished because he will just keep repeating this behaviour until he faces the consequences.'

A spokesman for the Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station said: 'We are calling Mr Matthews for interrogation and gathering evidence to charge him with assault and attempted murder.

'The Immigration Bureau is also checking if he is a legal immigrant.'

Investigations found that John had moved to Thailand on a marriage visa. He had been working as a language teacher with the help of his wife.

John declined to comment.