A bouncer who knocked out a British tourist has apologised claiming it was self-defence.

Sarawut Buacharoen, 32, reportedly punched drunk holidaymaker Calixtus Nadarajah Pragashparan, 63, when the Englishman tried to enter a strip club while intoxicated in 'Sin City' Pattaya, on March 2.

The knockout blow had left the property developer, from Southall, west London, bleeding and unconscious on the pavement.

The tattooed security guard and his boss Wilasinee Siriphoomchai, 45, apologised to the public after being summoned to the local district office on Tuesday, March 4.

Sarawut said: 'I would like to apologise to the public, the authorities, and the victim, for damaging Pattaya's image. I was trying to keep the tourist from entering the club because he was heavily drunk. However, he kicked me in the crotch. I became angry and lost control. I admit that it was my fault.

'The tourist and I have met with the inquiry officer of the Pattaya City Police Station. We have already said sorry to each other, and the man decided not to press charges.'

The club owner Wilasinee said: 'The bouncer's actions were truly damaging to our establishment. However, he is usually a calm person. However, the tourist allegedly attacked him first, which led to this incident. The shop has temporarily suspended the bouncer. In the future, there will be a meeting and stricter supervision of our employees.'

Local district chief Nathapop Yomjinda said district authorities will convene with business owners 'to discuss preventive measures and additional penalties'.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Suparat Meepreecha said: 'In the past, the Pattaya Tourist Police provided training for 409 security guards. Since then, there have been no incidents of violence involving the trained employees.

'In response to this incident, another training session will be held before the Songkran Festival to prepare for the surge of tourists.'

Former fishing village Pattaya became popular with American troops on 'rest and relaxation' breaks in the 1950s and 1960s when the U.S. military had bases in Thailand while fighting Communism in Vietnam. Rural families are said to have even dressed their sons as women to cash in on the gold rush.

The handful of bars in the coastal town quickly grew and it is now the world's biggest sex holiday destination, with round-the-clock prostitution and drugs - a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah rife with crime and debauchery.

Government chiefs have attempted to clean up the city but regular violence, depravity and claims of corruption continue to blight its reputation.