Residents in Patong, Phuket, are urging authorities to take firm action after a foreign man was seen walking with his young son and begging for money from tourists. The incident, reported on 5 May 2026, has caused distress among locals and visitors, raising concerns about social issues in a major tourist area.
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The footage was shared by the Facebook page “Hod Jung Changwat Phuket”, showing the man holding his child’s hand while approaching tourists and tuk-tuk drivers for money along Thaweewong Road in Patong, Kathu district. The post stated that tuk-tuk drivers could no longer tolerate the situation and called on relevant agencies to act urgently, describing it as a growing social problem.
In the video, the foreign man is seen moving through the busy tourist area with the child, believed to be his son, directly asking passers-by for money. The behaviour has reportedly made many people in the area uncomfortable, including local workers and business operators who rely on tourism.
Following the clip’s circulation online, numerous social media users commented that they had witnessed similar behaviour on multiple occasions. Many expressed concern that such incidents reflect wider social challenges in key tourist destinations like Patong, which could affect the area’s long-term image if left unaddressed.
The reaction from the public has focused on the need for concrete enforcement and intervention by authorities. Locals are calling for stricter monitoring and appropriate measures to prevent similar cases, particularly where children are involved, due to potential welfare concerns.
The daily News reported that officials have not yet publicly outlined specific actions in response to this incident. However, the growing attention online is likely to increase pressure on relevant agencies to investigate and implement measures to manage the issue more effectively.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 6 May 2026