Tourist Brawl on Phuket’s Bangla Road Sparks Online Outrage - video

[Andrewdownunder]

this is not news

[Harrisfan]

3 hours ago, johnc925 said:

3 whites on the brother... real classy... 😒

I counted 2

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 4/18/2025 at 5:25 PM, snoop1130 said:

A viral video capturing a vicious brawl between foreign tourists

More quality scum tourists here in Thailand. 

 

It's only going to get worse. 

 

 

 

 

[Thingamabob]

Hardly a major incident, and not that unusual in any entertainment area where booze and birds are the main attraction.

 

Another ridiculous reference to cannabis in the accompanying text. For the umpteenth time, cannabis induces calm, not aggression.

[Kenny Boy]

Relaxed cannabis laws attract tourists with a lower IQ.

Thick as mince most of them.

[Mayhem11]

Outraged about Bangla Road. Give us a break.

[AdrianUk]

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Why the outrage over a normal Bangla Road evening? 
 

If This citizens want to change the normal to something else, the authorities should do something to change it. Starting with effective policing.

Otherwise it’s same old, same old every night. In fact, it’s likely to get worse because those who are looking for a fight know where to go for it.

There is no outrage, its the news making it up for views, no one cares.

[Gknrd]

Glad I got to live and travel in a more simpler time. I remember kids looking at me scared to death because they had never seen a foreigner. 

Great times, Now?  What a SH..

 

[Beat666]

21 minutes ago, Kenny Boy said:

Relaxed cannabis laws attract tourists with a lower IQ.

Thick as mince most of them.

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

 

Sentence all of them to one year in Phuket 

 

 

[safarimike11]

On 4/18/2025 at 5:25 PM, snoop1130 said:

Pictures courtesy of The Phuket News

 

A viral video capturing a vicious brawl between foreign tourists on Phuket's infamous Bangla Road has ignited widespread online debate and criticism, particularly concerning Thailand’s visa policies and the presence of foreign gangs. The dramatic incident turned a lively nightlife scene into a virtual boxing ring, drawing heavy scrutiny.

 

The 48-second clip, shared by Phuket Expose on Facebook, shows two men attacking a third in a fierce fistfight, while bystanders looked on in shock without intervening. The post, captioned “Free visas, fiercely fighting 2-1, both good boxers,” sparked a flood of reactions, highlighting concerns about public safety and the potential influence of unchecked tourism policies.

 

Witnesses report that the men dispersed and returned to their accommodations as if nothing had occurred. The incident has fed into concerns among locals about the nature of visiting tourists. Netizens used the comments section to vent their frustrations, with some linking the fight to Thailand's liberal visa policies and recent cannabis law reforms, suggesting these factors might attract unruly tourists.

 

 

 

Comments ranged from humorous references to Muay Thai, the local martial art, to cynical suggestions about future venues for such brawls. Some netizens pointed to the broader implications of these events, questioning whether Thailand’s attractiveness as a tourist destination is overshadowed by rising incidents of foreigner-involved violence.

 

Despite the lack of confirmed identities or nationalities for the brawlers, local police are reportedly reviewing CCTV footage and considering launching an investigation. This incident is just the latest in a series of public safety concerns tied to Thailand’s tourism industry, rebounding strongly post-pandemic.

 

As Phuket and other hotspots like Pattaya experience surging tourist numbers, the balance between welcoming visitors and maintaining order is increasingly questioned by locals. Although there has been no official response from Thai immigration or Patong police thus far, it’s clear the event has heightened public discourse on how Thailand manages its booming tourism trade and the associated challenges, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

-- 2025-04-18

 

 

Hope the black guy whipped their harrises.

[1FinickyOne]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I was first in Phuket in 1976. No resorts. A few bungalows on the beaches.

I remember that. I was there maybe 1982 - I visited a couple of times around 2000 but left after a day. I did have one nice trip there around 2006 but only because I went with a friend who had a 2 bedroom timeshare at a Marriot Resort on the Northern tip of the island and it was lovely and self contained - 

[freedomnow]

The free visa or visa-free again ..makes no difference if its paid or free, cost is a blip compared to flights and on back of this spotlighting longer visa-free stamps get rolled back.

 

With many tourist always comes this stuff...never change..just ignore all this netizen rage crap.

[MangoKorat]

On 4/18/2025 at 11:25 AM, snoop1130 said:

A viral video capturing a vicious brawl between foreign tourists on Phuket's infamous Bangla Road has ignited widespread online debate and criticism, particularly concerning Thailand’s visa policies and the presence of foreign gangs.

So what do they propose?

 

Later in the post they refer to Free Visas in a context that lays the blame at them.  The fighters, most likely entered visa exempt. Yes that currently gives some nations 60 days but most have enjoyed 30 days for many years. Do these young guys suddenly become more violent on day 31?

 

Charge for visas?  The problem is, young men, testosterone and alcohol - do they seriously think that charging for visas would reduce this behaviour - it might but the fee would have to be so high that it would put off the vast majority of tourists.

 

Best way is to catch such people, punish them severely and make sure that's well publicised. That won't stop it but it will reduce it.

 

Other than that, it goes with the territory, bars, beer, girls, parties - take any one of those ingredients away and many tourists will go elsewhere. I'd be happy to go back to how it was when there weren't so many young people visiting - would the Thai gov and the tourist industry?

 

This will no doubt, give fuel to the fires of those that think Thailand can become a select destination - aimed at the rich, those people live in cloud cuckoo land. As do those that think the country can be a quality, family destination - without the infrastructure.

 

 

[sherwood]

7 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

The black dude looks like a dancer

It's in his blood. 55

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Donga said:

What odds! My first visit was 1976 and those few bungalows 🥰  Again in 1986 with our young family followed by a couple of regional sales meeting visits and witnessed the same gradual demise.

Last visit about five years ago was private and decided it was a lost cause. It seems to have got even worse in the last few years.

Bali visit late last year showed it has similar problems, but agree Phuket is definitely worse.

At least in Bali I found that if you stay away from the southwest third of the island it can be a pretty enjoyable experience, the whole area from Ubud to the north, the Northeast Coast and the Northwest coast are absolutely charming and not overcrowded. But anything in the region of Kuta, Legan and Seminyak is just a blight zone, that i would never want to return to under any circumstances. 

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, flexomike said:

Wow, I thought you were a happily married man and you are out pricing girls.

Do we have a pastor, or a puritanical man passing judgment here? Or simply a well doctrinated, well behaved American husband? 

[UserC923]

It is not surprising that things are getting worse because local people are still fleeing.

There are almost no Thais in Phuket, only about 200,000 illegal Burmese immigrants, who are rebels from Burma.

[cardinalblue]

8 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

The black dude looks like a dancer

Do you mean like Ali? Float like a butterfly and……I’ll let you finish his 2nd most famous quote…

 

and if you can’t, go away 

[Harrisfan]

4 minutes ago, cardinalblue said:

Do you mean like Ali? Float like a butterfly and……I’ll let you finish his 2nd most famous quote…

 

and if you can’t, go away 

Sting like a pumpkin? 

[Kenny Boy]

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Hardly a major incident, and not that unusual in any entertainment area where booze and birds are the main attraction.

 

Another ridiculous reference to cannabis in the accompanying text. For the umpteenth time, cannabis induces calm, not aggression.

Depends how much of it you are smoking.

Read the facts on cannabis abuse instead of thinking every cannabis user is having a couple of joints here and there.

Abuse of it leads to crime etc

👇

Regular or heavy use of cannabis can result in the development of tolerance and dependence. A person will need more and more marijuana to achieve the same effects. Adolescence, a period during which the brain is undergoing major changes, is an extremely poor time period for young people to try the effects of marijuana.

 

cheers

[Ray60]

at least a fair fist fight and not with any weapons or 10 Thai fighting against 1 Farang.

[Stargeezr]

I took a tour with my Thai family and seen Rawai beach. It was totally developed and we enjoyed a nice dinner there

then went back to Phuket city to a guest house for our stay. I am glad that we had a Thai friend drive us around in his 

10 passenger Toyota van and he was a cautious driver who did not swerve all over the place and our drive back to Bangkok was

enjoyable as well. We stopped into a few places where the restaurant food was great. I still like visiting Thailand and

being with my Thai family makes the stay very enjoyable as I have them shop for me and have not been ripped off for my last 4 trips.

Rock On Thiland. 

[tandor]

15 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

2 vs 1. Black dude did well.

you mean the man in white.

[flexomike]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Do we have a pastor, or a puritanical man passing judgment here? Or simply a well doctrinated, well behaved American husband? 

Oh my did I offend you? You are the one who is the specialist in passing judgement.

[arick]

18 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

You should try Dalston in London where you're considered overdressed if having more than one ear! 

Dalston use to be nice to visit . 

[arick]

18 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Invite in the dregs of the world to boost tourist numbers and expect to get some trouble.

What Brazilian b****** being allowed to come here for 6 months visa free.

[SLOWHAND225]

19 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

2 vs 1. Black dude did well.

Uh, it was a peacock dance, not a fight at all. lol

[Donga]

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

At least in Bali I found that if you stay away from the southwest third of the island it can be a pretty enjoyable experience, the whole area from Ubud to the north, the Northeast Coast and the Northwest coast are absolutely charming and not overcrowded. But anything in the region of Kuta, Legan and Seminyak is just a blight zone, that i would never want to return to under any circumstances. 

 

Lived in Indo twice and traveled quite extensively, was like a 2nd home for me last century. You're right about the south, last time with the family 30 years ago. Stopped by Ubud last half a dozen times among visits to other parts, Lombok & Gili T, though not been to northwest Bali other than travel thru to Java. Is the only Hindu society outside of India and quite a special place, outside the 24 hour party zone.

[phil2407]

So 2 vs 1 & he did well

but let’s forget the usual 5 Thais  vs 1 or more 😬

oh the outrage & heavens forbid by the Thai netizens!!! 
pot kettle black