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Brit Loses Visa After Phuket Tuk Tuk Assault

A British national, has had his permission to stay in Thailand revoked after allegedly assaulting a tuk tuk driver during a fare dispute in Phuket. Police arrested the man on July 2 and took him to Patong Police Station, where he now faces legal proceedings over the alleged attack.

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The incident happened at around 5am in Soi Na Nai and attracted widespread attention after video footage of the confrontation was shared on Thai social media. The footage showed the driver arguing with the foreign man before the altercation turned violent, with the man allegedly punching the driver in the face and causing him to fall backwards.

The tuk tuk driver told Thai media that the dispute began after the foreign man and two foreign women allegedly refused to pay a 300 baht fare. According to the driver, the argument escalated when he attempted to collect the money, leading to the assault captured on video.

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Pictures courtesy of Phuket Times

The driver said he suffered an injury to his mouth that required 10 stitches. He also told reporters he felt frustrated by the incident, saying he had simply been trying to earn a living when the dispute occurred.

Phuket Times later identified the suspect as a British national, who operates a cannabis shop near the scene. The outlet also reported claims that he had previous disputes with local residents and had allegedly failed to pay wages owed to Thai workers. Police have not confirmed those allegations.

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Police later arrested the suspect and transferred him to Patong Police Station for further legal action. According to the Phuket Thailand News Network Facebook page, immigration officers revoked his permission to remain in Thailand in addition to charging him with physical assault.

Under Section 295 of Thailand’s Criminal Law, the alleged offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. The investigation is continuing, with the criminal case now proceeding through the legal process. Authorities have not released further details about any additional charges or court proceedings.

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Phuket Times 4 July 2026

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John Drake Diamond Member

John Drake

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, Funkymover said:

would love to hear the brits side of the story, on here of course as soon as its a foreigner , the foreigners on here are always eager to turn on them and attack them,,

yet we all know how much of these tuk tuk drivers try to scam,, lie and themselves get violent .

This is half a story ..

could be true,,, could not,,

It doesn't matter who was right or wrong or cheated or not cheated. It's not worth the greater cost of getting yourself kicked out of the country/doing time in jail over 300 baht. If you start pounding on the table every time someone overcharges you on something in Thailand, you're going to see trouble sooner or later.

DonniePeverley Platinum Member

DonniePeverley

Advanced Member

Call me crazy but how is a foreigner able to own and run a cannabis shop in Thaiand? I thought the nominee business thing was illegal.

kevden Explorer Member

kevden

Member

Maybe the Brit did ask the price beforehand, maybe not, but it is good practice. Maybe it was an inflated price, or not, we don't have that info.

What we do see and hear are some threats, knocking a phone out of the hand followed by a punch to the head and (blurred) injuries.

Not the kind of end to a night out reasonable people want and could have been avoided by him behaving differently.

Pay the amount (end of) vs call the police if it's a rip-off (unknown outcome) vs assault with damages (likely serious (and more) consequences).

Some Tuk Tuk drives are unreasonable, Bolt drivers tend to be better, but I'll give Tuk Tuk drivers a fare if it's fair.

Brit might be stressed (as some here write), but I don't think that's mitigation. Hopefully the injured heals quickly.

wensiensheng Platinum Member

wensiensheng

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Ctkong said:

Denigrating Thais when you are a tourist is having a blowback. Enough is enough and viral videos are not helping at all. Be respectful and adhere to the cultural differences when you are a guest ,long term or not, are sensibilities for a long free living.

It says he owned a business here. I doubt he is a tourist.

Patong2021 Diamond Member

Patong2021

Advanced Member

The critics might be more understanding of the frustration people have when they have to deal with the transport cartel. The prices are inflated because the drivers and their gangster enablers beat up and anyone who dares to compete against the cartel.

Sir Dude Gold Member

Sir Dude

Advanced Member

There is much Europe could learn from how Thai immigration deals with criminal morons and illegal arrivals.

richard_smith237 Star Member

richard_smith237

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, Funkymover said:

would love to hear the brits side of the story, on here of course as soon as its a foreigner , the foreigners on here are always eager to turn on them and attack them,,

yet we all know how much of these tuk tuk drivers try to scam,, lie and themselves get violent .

This is half a story ..

could be true,,, could not,,

Fair point - we only get one side of the story.

But the Brit was outrageously aggressive and assault is assault - whatever triggered his actions - its still assault - the video shows the TukTuk Driver backing off and deescalating.

Did the TukTuk driver push the Brit guy first - in the video we can hear the Brit threaten the TukTuk driver about being pushed...

Bday Prang Star Member

Bday Prang

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

As a former MI6 operative, I resemble that remark.

Me too but I can't say anymore. I've said too much already

Des1 Advanced Member

Des1

Member
6 hours ago, newnative said:

Good. Deport him and ban him from returning.

I think most people on this forum agree that Thailand should take firm action in situations like this. It's time to drop the hammer. I believe it will actually help tourism.

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, Rams86 said:

The Brit got his right whack but there's many tuk tuk drivers and motor bike taxi riders that need a decent slap too

For trying to make a living?

richard_smith237 Star Member

richard_smith237

Advanced Member
2 minutes ago, Des1 said:

I think most people on this forum agree that Thailand should take firm action in situations like this. It's time to drop the hammer. I believe it will actually help tourism.

Each case should be judged on its own merits. In this instance, the Brit was plainly the aggressor. He allegedly inflicted injuries requiring around 40 stitches, so he should face the full consequences through the Thai courts before any deportation is considered. Simply putting him on the next flight home would be a remarkably lenient outcome.

That said, there's another side to the equation. When taxi or tuk-tuk drivers become aggressive, threaten, intimidate, or assault passengers, often during disputes over fares or attempted scams, they too should face the full force of the law.

Justice only commands respect when it is applied consistently. Whether the offender is a foreign tourist or a local driver, the law should be enforced equally, impartially, and without favour.

Bday Prang Star Member

Bday Prang

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, gargamon said:

People still use tuk-tuks? Haven't heard of grab yet? Cheaper, no dispute over fares.

In over 30 years I have sat in a tuk tuk twice, and both times were 30 years ago, I genuinely cannot believe that a non tourist would go anywhere near a tuk tuk I have never considered them to be taxi's in the true sense of the word they are a "tourist attraction" and are generally priced accordingly ,

This idiot "ran" a shop he was not a tourist so why was he in a tuk-tuk som nam na

Rockyroad Platinum Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Zero sympathy for Phuket tuktuk drivers from me. It's 200 baht just to get into the tuktuk in Phuket. Then the price goes up from there. Land transport in Phuket is a blight on Thailand's tourism industry.

They have Grab there.

Des1 Advanced Member

Des1

Member
2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Each case should be judged on its own merits. In this instance, the Brit was plainly the aggressor. He allegedly inflicted injuries requiring around 40 stitches, so he should face the full consequences through the Thai courts before any deportation is considered. Simply putting him on the next flight home would be a remarkably lenient outcome.

That said, there's another side to the equation. When taxi or tuk-tuk drivers become aggressive, threaten, intimidate, or assault passengers, often during disputes over fares or attempted scams, they too should face the full force of the law.

Justice only commands respect when it is applied consistently. Whether the offender is a foreign tourist or a local driver, the law should be enforced equally, impartially, and without favour.

Visitors to Thailand, if they are paying attention, understand that rule of law is something not yet acheived. It's simple, behave yourself. I won't carry on about it.

Des1 Advanced Member

Des1

Member
5 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

Anyone being mean to a Thai has a problem now. This is the fallout of certain recent events. Not justifying violence at all.

So, what are you trying to say exactly?

Captain Flack Star Member

Captain Flack

Global Moderator

Off topic posts removed @Bday Prang again not discussing the topic, just trolling your own political agenda.

Rule 10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

72 lashes for this incorrigible git.

Incorrigible? You know him, you've come across him before?

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
5 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Surely running a cannabis shop is reserved for Thais only? I'd be very surprised if it isn't

As minority shareholders foreigners can own cannabis businesses.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
5 hours ago, novacova said:

A doper comes here and invests in a business and loses it all due to mental health issues and lack of self composure, intelligence of a bucket of rocks.

Perhaps, as a likely 49% shareholder he won't lose it all?

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Call me crazy but how is a foreigner able to own and run a cannabis shop in Thaiand? I thought the nominee business thing was illegal.

Being a maximum 49% shareholder in a legitimate company with 51% legitimate Thai partners is not illegal.

novacova Diamond Member

novacova

Advanced Member
26 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Perhaps, as a likely 49% shareholder he won't lose it all?

He’ll lose his investment. Unless of course his Thai venture partners maintain the business and use the funds to support him in prison.

pacovl46 Platinum Member

pacovl46

Advanced Member

While I don't condone the actions of the brit in any way, shape or form, Phuket is notorious for massively overcharging passengers, whether it's tuk-tuks, taxis or motorcycle taxis. So, don't be surprised if people get p.ssed for being overcharged...

Having said that, 300 Baht for 3 people doesn't sound that bad...

Either way, have fun back at home...

KhunHeineken Ruby Member

KhunHeineken

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

They have Grab there.

Last I heard, they all collude to set an overinflated Grab price as well.

Priorexpat Silver Member

Priorexpat

Advanced Member

Unbelievable, 3 people, 100thb each and they refuse to pay. Pretty clear now why there are so many people while exiting tuk tuks, the drivers are gassing it and sending them flying. These people are fed up with Farang bad behavior. Making a scene over 300thb........stupidity.

DonniePeverley Platinum Member

DonniePeverley

Advanced Member
12 hours ago, FinChin67 said:

Same guy? Seems to have a short fuse.

https://www.facebook.com/StreetCrimeUK1/photos/man-jailed-after-students-jaw-broken-during-late-night-attack-in-colchestera-man/1339192261685573/

A man has been jailed for five years after launching a violent attack on a member of Essex University’s Turkish Society and breaking his jaw during a confrontation in Colchester.

Shane Correia, 33, was convicted following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court after attacking a student during an incident in Ballantine Drive in the early hours of the morning.

Yeah it looks like this same guy. So he was already locked up by UK Authorities for 5 years for a brutal assaut. Yet Thailand did no background checks on before handing him some form of long term visa to stay in the country.

This is why it's outright disgraceful they make no requests for a criminal record check. Almost as if by design they left it out.

DonniePeverley Platinum Member

DonniePeverley

Advanced Member
7 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Being a maximum 49% shareholder in a legitimate company with 51% legitimate Thai partners is not illegal.

Not exactly true. If the nominees are just on paper, and have no real funds to have owned the business then it's clearly fake.

GammaGlobulin Star Member

GammaGlobulin

Advanced Member

NEVER ride in a Thai Tuk-Tuk unless your are fully prepared to be both polite and show proper respect to the operator.

Otherwise, you might be in for a world of hurt.

And, try not to fall out, if you are British, as British often do fall out before reaching their destination.

Or, they often have a falling out with the driver.

Priorexpat Silver Member

Priorexpat

Advanced Member
42 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

NEVER ride in a Thai Tuk-Tuk unless your are fully prepared to be both polite and show proper respect to the operator.

Otherwise, you might be in for a world of hurt.

And, try not to fall out, if you are British, as British often do fall out before reaching their destination.

Or, they often have a falling out with the driver.

Poster mikik seems to not understand your post, noticed the question mark notification.

I agree with your post GG, being polite makes the world spin smoother. Getting belligerent and aggressive with tuk-tuk drivers is a good way to receive a massive beating, and it will be more than one beating you up.

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