Tourist brawl in Phuket sparks debate on visa policy (video)

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Speednews ภูเก็ต Facebook

 

by Bright Choomanee

A video depicting an altercation between Italian and Indian tourists in Phuket’s Patong area has sparked significant social media discussion. The incident, captured in a 1.04-minute clip shared by the Facebook page Speednews Phuket, occurred yesterday, January 27, at the end of Bangla Road, Kathu district, Phuket.

 

The video shows the tourists engaged in a fierce brawl, surrounded by onlookers comprising both foreigners and Thai nationals. Many bystanders recorded the incident on their mobile phones, with some even cheering the combatants.

However, security personnel and other tourists witnessing the altercation stepped in to separate the two parties before the situation could escalate further, eventually leading to both tourists dispersing.

 

Following the video’s circulation online, numerous viewers have expressed concerns regarding the implications of the free visa policy for tourists. Critics argue that while the policy facilitates tourism, it should be accompanied by stringent laws to prevent such incidents from recurring, reported KhaoSod.

The sentiment reflects a broader concern that without adequate legal frameworks, similar situations may arise in the future. Fortunately, this particular incident did not result in serious injuries or fatalities.

 

In similar news, a night of partying on Bangla Road turned into chaos when a drunken Russian tourist was hospitalised after a violent altercation with security guards.

The incident unfolded at Oscar Bar, Patong on December 18 last year. Police were called to the scene at 11.50pm, where they found 31 year old Russian national Evgenii Kozlov seriously injured after a scuffle with bar security.

 

According to initial reports, Kozlov, heavily intoxicated, climbed onto the stage and began dancing, disrupting the bar’s operations. Security guards, 30 year old Chalermphon Suphannaphon, 28 year old Thammakach Sukho, and 19 year old Watcharaphon Laowong intervened, removing him from the stage.

 

The situation escalated when the Russian man reportedly began acting aggressively towards other patrons, prompting complaints. As the guards attempted to escort him out, a struggle ensued, culminating in a violent brawl.

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-01-28

 

 

 

[MikeandDow]

This is What TAT wants quality tourists

[ozz1]

More quality tourists they'll  also all should go to the monkey house for a while to get the that might teach them a lesson 😁 police too busy scamming people on motorbikes I guess

[Elvis Presley]

Nothing but a bunch of drunken yobs. 

 

Bring back the old good guys in, bad guys out policy I say! 

[NickyLouie]

Baba is slap ?

[Patong2021]

Hardly anything new or different from what has been going on  for the past 20 years. How exactly would a change in tourist visa regulations change anything?     What is needed is an actual police presence and a bit of public shaming when the yobs are nicked.

[bkk6060]

Disgusting idiots.  Phuket really seems like a S hole now.

[Joe32]

And like usual, they happily go home, and leave the expats with the terrible stereotype and consequences. 

[Turd5506]

I don't know why Indians get into fights when I haven't seen one that can actually fight.  I guess it's more of the mob (coward) mentality.

[ujayujay]

This will not change as long as every foreigner, no matter how under-educated, can get a visa in Thailand

[newbee2022]

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

concerns regarding the implications of the free visa policy for tourists

#Me too.

Visa free only for 2 weeks, and scrap the DTA unless you're happy with all criminals of the world and the bottom part of all societies.

But then.... don't complain, just take your videos

[lanng khao]

Manbags at 40 paces..

[Andycoops]

27 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Hardly anything new or different from what has been going on  for the past 20 years. How exactly would a change in tourist visa regulations change anything?     What is needed is an actual police presence and a bit of public shaming when the yobs are nicked.

And l perhaps a charge of drunk and disorderly a night out two in the cells to sober up with a hefty fine and them given a lift to the airport and wave bye bye

[lanng khao]

1 minute ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

That’s a brawl?? 😂 

They couldn't knock the froth off a cappuccino..

[riverhigh]

"Fierce brawal". "Fortunately, this particular incident did not result in serious injuries or fatalities."

 

No kidding. I would have a better chance of getting an injury stepping out of my shower than getting an injury from this "fierce brawal".  I've seen fiercer brawals at kindergarten between a bunch of 5 year-olds. Someone should tell these mobile phone warriors that taking video doesn't count as participating in this alleged fierce brawal.

[Jonathan Swift]

I’m here in Patong, but not sorry I missed it. I don’t need to see lowlife human beings behaving badly. I was listening to a great band with a great singer.

[edwardflory]

Color me stupid but I can NOT understand why any person would come to a FOREIGN country and make a total arse of themselves.

 

MAYBE  that they can not hold their liquor? Maybe they hate people in general?

 

I've traveled 14 countries, lived in 3 of the 14, now in TH 12 years and have never been in "trouble" or a fight in any country - so far!!!!

[Iron Tongue]

What would a renewed visa policy have done to prevent these kinds of fights?

I didn't see anything harsher than some slap punches.  Both sides were just basic drunken tourists with alcohol-fed bravado.

If they were actually criminal elements, they'd know how to punch.

 

 

 

 

[Guderian]

If your policy to attract tourists is basically:

 

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me..."

 

then what else can you honestly expect? You make your bed and you have to sleep in it, I'm afraid.

[Mywayboy]

Fierce brawl hmmmm.

These pussies couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag or knock the top off a rice pudding 

[Chongalulu]

12 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I’m here in Patong, but not sorry I missed it. I don’t need to see lowlife human beings behaving badly. I was listening to a great band with a great singer.

What was her rendition of ” You've gotta fight..for your right... to paaaaartey! ” 🎶 🥊 like..? 

[1happykamper]

Security is doing a fine job 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

This is What TAT wants quality tourists

That's exactly what they got... 

[Dave0206]

50 minutes ago, Turd5506 said:

I don't know why Indians get into fights when I haven't seen one that can actually fight.  I guess it's more of the mob (coward) mentality.

Italians are not exactly renowned for there calm dispositions. 

As said on here before certain parts of Thailand are now the Spain of our era 

[Reddavy]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Disgusting idiots.  Phuket really seems like a S hole now.

Now!!!!! It’s always beeen a <deleted>hole 🤷🏼

[wensiensheng]

I can’t see that this has anything to do with visa policy. Look back 20 years and this type of thing has been happening regularly in Bangla road for each and every year. 
 

it has to do with services available for tourists in that road, lack of enforcement of existing laws and the resultant type of tourist that frequents the area.

 

The Thai tourist industry reaps what it sows in areas like Bangla Road.

[lamecn]

Cock -fighting and kick boxing makes a lot of money! So, set up an arena, sell tickets, and let the agressive guys and gals get rid of their agressions in the arena, for the entertainment of the masses! Achieving a lot of international attention/ atracting more tourists?🤔

[CMHomeboy78]

36 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

Color me stupid but I can NOT understand why any person would come to a FOREIGN country and make a total arse of themselves.

 

MAYBE  that they can not hold their liquor? Maybe they hate people in general?

 

I've traveled 14 countries, lived in 3 of the 14, now in TH 12 years and have never been in "trouble" or a fight in any country - so far!!!!

You're the norm, Ed.

The majority of us stay out of trouble - for the most part.

It's the slimebag minority that gives us all a bad name and spoils the scene.

[Joe Boy Walton]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Disgusting idiots.  Phuket really seems like a S hole now.

As a person who has been visiting Patong, off and on, for over 20 years now I can quite honestly say that it has turned into one of the biggest slopholes on the planet. The time I spent in Gaza was more pleasant.

[PomPolo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Critics argue that while the policy facilitates tourism, it should be accompanied by stringent laws to prevent such incidents from recurring

I am fairly sure these laws already exist but doubt they will be at the top of an inebriated tourists mind at daft o clock in the morning not sure changing visa policies will stop people finding their way here people will still make it into the country they will just have a shorter amount of time to start a fight!

Looked like a bunch of girls fighting anyways I think I actually saw one of them beeatch slap another!