Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Two French Nationals Arrested for Attacking Thai Man in Phuket

A Thai man, Kunanya Phokham, is recovering from serious injuries after being assaulted by French nationals in Phuket on April 13. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Soi Tan, Phra Metta Road, Kathu district, when Kunanya refused to join a Songkran water fight while riding his motorcycle. His girlfriend, Maytinee Sila, immediately reported the assault to Patong Police Station.

Get today's headlines by email subscribe-orange.png

Kunanya was on his way to meet Maytinee near Black Bar when he encountered the group of foreigners engaging in water festivities. As he signaled his intent to pass without participating, a foreigner threw water in his face, followed by a strike with a water gun. This led to a confrontation that escalated into violence, with Kunanya being attacked by several men, resulting in facial injuries and bruising.

Kunanya was later taken to Patong Hospital for treatment. The next day, police arrested two French nationals, Bouboune Nicolas Florent and Heraoui Abdelkrim, in connection with the attack. As of now, no formal charges have been announced, but both remain under police custody for further questioning.

Authorities are investigating further to determine the exact circumstances and potential charges related to the incident. This assault highlights the challenges of maintaining peace during the Songkran celebrations, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Phuket.

Join the discussion? Create account. orange.png

Already a member? haveyr-say.png

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 16 Apr 2026

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

cjinchiangrai Platinum Member

cjinchiangrai

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

It's not race baiting when it's literally the same races (African and Arab "French") every time. Anyone who lives in Patong (I did before) will tell you the same thing.

Except the statistics do not support your position.

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
8 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Oh, and illegalize marijuana again - it's attracting the wrong type of tourists.

I can only agree.

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Except the statistics do not support your position.

Come on CJ, you've already shown there is a gatekeeper for authoritarianism deep inside you, how about letting him out once again? It would be for the good cause, this time.

August 2021:

cjinchiang rai - unjabbed farangs should have visas cancelled - 22-08-21.jpg

cjinchiangrai Platinum Member

cjinchiangrai

Advanced Member
12 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

Come on CJ, you've already shown there is a gatekeeper for authoritarianism deep inside you, how about letting him out once again? It would be for the good cause, this time.

August 2021:

cjinchiang rai - unjabbed farangs should have visas cancelled - 22-08-21.jpg

Hardly equivalent. Anti-vax stupidity affects everyone. Vaccinating is good for everyone, as is ending racism.

save the frogs Star Member

save the frogs

Advanced Member
On 4/16/2026 at 5:49 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Songkran isn’t a free pass to behave like idiots.

But that's exactly what it is.

PingRoundTheWorld Gold Member

PingRoundTheWorld

Advanced Member
17 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Except the statistics do not support your position.

What statistics? I literally lived there and witnessed them terrorizing Patong every night. GTFO.

DonniePeverley Platinum Member

DonniePeverley

Advanced Member

Is it time to maybe ask for a criminal record check for French nationals entering Thailand ? Both the EU have a very easy database to get this certificate to say you have not committed any criminal offense.

jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

Advanced Member
16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

But that's exactly what it is.

Exactly so!

save the frogs Star Member

save the frogs

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Exactly so!

Precisely.

Yumthai Gold Member

Yumthai

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

What statistics? I literally lived there and witnessed them terrorizing Patong every night. GTFO.

Ideologues often bring out of reality numbers to support their view.

richard_smith237 Star Member

richard_smith237

Advanced Member
On 4/18/2026 at 7:35 AM, save the frogs said:
On 4/16/2026 at 11:49 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Songkran isn’t a free pass to behave like idiots.

But that's exactly what it is.

It isn’t - not by a long shot.

What stands out in Thailand is how well people behave, as long as you understand the areas. Stay out of the known “play zones” and people are well controlled. I’ve managed that every year - th

We join in during the day - family-friendly, light-hearted, no excess. Even on Soi 11 with kids in the past, it’s fine early on. We just leave before dark, when the tone shifts.

Same approach elsewhere - dip into the chaos, step out when it gets too much. Simple.

I’ve even ridden through it in my localised area without getting soaked - hand up, and most people respect it.

The reality is most aren’t idiots - they’re just enjoying it. Songkran is brilliant for that, if you can walk away when you want. If you live in the thick of it, that’s harder.

There are zones where everyone seems fair game - and a few take it too far - that happens with everything, play football for fun and someone will make an overzealous tackle etc - with Songkran its the prick who spays ice water in the face at point blank, that sort of thing. But that’s just people. There’s always a minority with no filter.

But - its It’s not a free pass for outright stupidity - not for kids, not for workers, not for anyone just getting on with their day.

But in certain pockets, it is controlled chaos. And that’s exactly what Thailand sells - and why people keep coming back.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.