Photo via Facebook/ เหยี่ยวข่าว ภูเก็ต Newshawk Phuket

A Dutch national was arrested at Phuket International Airport after he and his companions allegedly assaulted a Thai street vendor in Patong. The incident occurred during a disagreement over motorcycle parking on January 25, causing both physical and emotional harm to the vendor. The man, identified as Wesley, was apprehended as he prepared to travel to Bangkok.

The dispute began when the vendor, owner of Isaan Cafe, asked a foreign motorcyclist to move his vehicle parked in front of the vendor's stall. This led to an argument, and after leaving briefly, the motorcyclist returned with three friends and assaulted the vendor. Similar incidents have reportedly occurred in the past, with foreign motorists often refusing to cooperate.

The case gained online traction, prompting widespread calls from Thai citizens for authorities to take decisive action. Initial reports mistakenly identified the suspects as French nationals, but subsequent investigations clarified that one attacker was Dutch. Police quickly pursued the matter and arrested Wesley at the airport.

The suspect has been charged under Section 295 of the Criminal Law, which pertains to assault causing injury. The law carries penalties of up to two years in prison, a fine of 40,000 baht, or both. Law enforcement continues to seek and apprehend the other suspects involved in the attack, reported The Thaiger.

Key Takeaways

• A Dutch man was arrested in Phuket following an assault on a street vendor.

• The incident arose from a parking dispute and led to public and police attention.

• Police are searching for other suspects as investigations continue.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-01-30

 

 

All vendors with stalls or shops claim that the space of the public road is for them and the customers... See it everywhere sometimes blocked with pilons, plastic chairs or other things.. It is public road so everybody has the right to park, although it is in front of their stall if there is free space... In fact the local government should let them pay a huge rent if they want to have the space for themselves or customers.. The RTP however doesn't care about anything and as a foreigner you will always be the one that is wrong.... Clean the pavements and the streets.. The article is clear that it was not the first time that it was not allowed to stall a vehicle in front of his stall

Evil Dutch man from Holland .

16 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

as a foreigner you will always be the one that is wrong

Nonsense.

It's polite custom in Thailand not to park in front of vendors, many have their business based on passing customers that stop and buy products. Nothing to do with "who owns the street", it's culture and foreigners should just follow that, they are not in their home country.

Stall holder did very well against the 3 who surrounded him.

Post not in English, removed.

16. English is the only permitted language anywhere on ASEAN NOW, except within the Thai language forum, where using Thai is allowed. Short Thai translations of technical terms are permitted in specialty forums. While we make allowances for members who do not speak English as their first language, we expect everyone to make an effort to post in a manner that allows others to understand their posts. As an international forum we have members from many countries in the world, and English is not the first language of every poster.

@kanGBK

On 1/31/2026 at 6:04 AM, khunPer said:

It's polite custom in Thailand not to park in front of vendors, many have their business based on passing customers that stop and buy products. Nothing to do with "who owns the street", it's culture and foreigners should just follow that, they are not in their home country.

I wonder if the vendor would have had the same issue if a Thai parked there, you know, being Thai culture and all. 🙂