Foreign Tourist Punches Thai Driver During Heated Argument in Phuket

[webfact]

video screenshot

 

A shocking road rage ordeal unfolded on April 7 in Phuket when a foreign tourist allegedly punched a Thai van driver during a heated traffic dispute in Ratsada district.

 

Saroj Jakthong reported to Phuket City Police that the tourist attacked him on Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Road, leaving Saroj with a sore ear and prompting a medical check-up as part of a police inquiry.

 

The incident, captured on a dashboard camera, is making waves on social media. The video shows the tourist overtaking Saroj's van in a bold move, then cutting him off and coming to an abrupt stop. The situation spiralled out of control when the tourist confronted Saroj, delivering a blow that knocked him down.

 

Saroj recounted the incident, noting it occurred around 9:10 PM on April 6, as he navigated through a lane merge near Premium Outlet. A Ford pickup truck unexpectedly overtook and cut him off, prompting Saroj to honk in warning.

 

Instead of defusing the situation, the pickup driver veered erratically, intensifying tensions. An individual in another van captured the entire saga on video, lending crucial evidence to Saroj’s complaint.

 

 

 

 

Attempting to communicate politely, Saroj advised the tourist to exercise caution, only to be met with instant aggression.

 

The foreigner's actions reportedly left Saroj momentarily stunned, and as the offender sped away, Saroj dialed emergency services, but a swift resolution was elusive.

 

Though able to obtain video proof, Saroj faced a delay in obtaining medical documentation, crucial for formal complaint proceedings.

 

In a twist, the accused tourist later extended an apology through a Thai wai gesture at the police station. Nevertheless, Saroj remains unwavering in his pursuit of justice, opting to advance legal actions against the foreign visitor.

 

Authorities continue to examine the evidence, including the widely circulated dashcam footage, as they tread through this turbulent episode.

 

video courtesy of Khaosod

 

Based on a story by Khaosod

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

The foreigner's action are unforgivable.

It looks like he was lucky to leave the scene quickly though.

The guy in the dark T shirt went to his vehicle to retrieve a weapon of some sort.

[roo860]

  On 4/8/2025 at 2:06 AM, Tropicalevo said:

The foreigner's action are unforgivable.

It looks like he was lucky to leave the scene quickly though.

The guy in the dark T shirt went to his vehicle to retrieve a weapon of some sort.

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How do you know he went to retrieve a weapon? Maybe his pizza was getting cold.

[chuang]

Why in Thailand the locals are often bullied and beaten by foreigners....🥲

[norsurin]

What a moron..i think they will find him soon because of his license plate.

After throw this thug out and blacklist him for years.

[Gottfrid]

What a moron! Hope he get a hefty compensation to pay, and gets thrown out of the country. We definitely don´t need such people here.

[TimBKK]

Roid rage is real

[ronster]

Roid head who skips leg day needs kicked out of the country.

[Nowaythatsreal]

The guy looks remarkably like Tyson Fury 🤔

[Dmitry2222]

The Phuket Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

[Ajarnbrian]

Good it’s on video.

Arrest, charge, imprison, deport.

Thailand doesn’t need that type of tourist.

[phil2407]

Has Tyson come out of retirement? 

[Thingamabob]

Thuggish behaviour by the foreigner. Ideally he should get jail time, pay compensation, and then be deported with a lifetime ban. Reality is he will get away with paying a small amount of compensation.

[john11k]

Just take his visa 

and don’t let him in again. 
guys like this monkey ruin it for everyone !

[hotchilli]

  On 4/8/2025 at 2:56 AM, chuang said:

Why in Thailand the locals are often bullied and beaten by foreigners....🥲

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Like all locals behave like angels

[1happykamper]

  On 4/8/2025 at 2:56 AM, chuang said:

Why in Thailand the locals are often bullied and beaten by foreigners....🥲

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Why is Thailand attracting more juiced up big bullies? 

[Jack Hammer]

Do you notice these hugs never take on anyone bigger than themselves. Look at the size comparison between the foreigner and the Thais   Speaks volumes.  Throw  the foreigner out.

[SS1]

Yeah let's see the full video and what happened before the attack. I'd be surprised if the van driver is totally innocent. 

[Toby1947]

The little sh+t in the black has a weapon in his hand, when he sees the size of the guy he bottles it, typical Thai coward then gets a smack for his troubles. Good on yer big fella. 😅🤣

[schultzlivgthai]

Knowing how stupid many of the drivers are here in Thailand and aggressive, especially van drivers, I’m sure there was a reason for the confrontation ! Not that I agree with his actions I’d be willing to bet it was for a reason though . The white dude might also be taking a high dose of steroids too😳

[roo860]

  On 4/8/2025 at 6:16 AM, Ajarnbrian said:

Good it’s on video.

Arrest, charge, imprison, deport.

Thailand doesn’t need that type of tourist.

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Of course it needs that type of tourist, otherwise forum members wouldn't have anything to post about, they'd be posting recipes for cakes and all that <deleted>.

[save the frogs]

  On 4/8/2025 at 6:39 AM, 1happykamper said:

Why is Thailand attracting more juiced up big bullies? 

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because whey powder is cheap in thailand?

sorry, i dont know

this guy looks like it's not the first time he's thrown a punch

[schultzlivgthai]

  On 4/8/2025 at 6:42 AM, Jack Hammer said:

Do you notice these hugs never take on anyone bigger than themselves. Look at the size comparison between the foreigner and the Thais   Speaks volumes.  Throw  the foreigner out.

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They probably got what they deserved, odds are they were driving like lunatics, no mercy for them 

[Chongalulu]

He should be ashamed - why is the tiny Thai guy getting up again so quickly...?🥴 

[Taco]

Lucky he only got hit once by that guy

[craighj]

  On 4/8/2025 at 2:56 AM, chuang said:

Why in Thailand the locals are often bullied and beaten by foreigners....🥲

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BS, clearly you have not been using this forum long and or don't read Thai news.  Though lately, the Farang have been in the news a lot I must say.

[2long]

While reading the start of the report I thought it sounded a bit 'pro Thai van driver' and was about to comment that we don't know what happened 'before the merging' and how the van driver had been behaving.

then I watched the clip and OMG. that roid thug really is a nasty piece of work, and if the locals don't find and get to him first, the legal system will.

 

I'm not generally one to jump on the band wagon, but this prick needs to be taught a lesson.

[Photoguy21]

Too much drink and steroids. Lock him up then deport him.

[Burma Bill]

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:53 PM, webfact said:

when a foreign tourist allegedly punched a Thai van driver

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  Throw him out of Thailand and ban him from re-entering for life!

[Health On A Budget]

  On 4/8/2025 at 6:53 AM, Toby1947 said:

The little sh+t in the black has a weapon in his hand, when he sees the size of the guy he bottles it, typical Thai coward then gets a smack for his troubles. Good on yer big fella. 😅🤣

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The "weapon" looks more like a radio to me, though it could be used as a weapon of course. He appears to have it in his left hand from the beginning of the video, as opposed to running to his vehicle to fetch it. While there's no legally valid excuse for the farang's attack on the two Thais, it is easy to surmise that he may have been upset by the Thai driver's action before the clip started, and that the farang was reacting to that in much the same way as we see some behave  on Western roads when carved up  by another driver. As for the comment that the farang was not identified, it would be interesting to know why he ended up at a police station a little later to perform his "wai," or was that merely a "sawadee  krap" greeting to whoever he was talking with?