A foreign man used a metal bar to chase and attack a Thai man during a confrontation in Phuket, before later being pursued by the man carrying a sword and suffering injuries. The incident, reported online on 15 June, attracted widespread attention online and prompted calls for authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the clash.

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The altercation took place in Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, in Phuket’s Mueang district. According to reports and witness accounts, the dispute began when 50-year-old Muay Thai instructor Waikun, who was waiting for his sister, encountered two foreign tourists riding motorcycles in a manner he believed was taking up too much of the road.

Waikun said he warned the riders about road use, which led to a verbal argument. During the confrontation, a large foreign man allegedly punched him several times in the face and left eye, causing injuries.

According to Waikun, he later returned to his home and retrieved a sword for self-defence because he feared further attacks. He stated that he had no intention of attacking the foreign man first.

The situation escalated when the foreign man returned to the scene on a motorcycle carrying a long metal pipe. During the ensuing confrontation, the tip of the sword carried by Waikun reportedly struck the foreign man’s arm, causing a deep cut.

Video footage shared by the Facebook page Phuket Times Phuket Time showed part of the confrontation and quickly spread across social media. The page claimed the foreign man had also threatened other Thai individuals with the bar before being chased by a sword-wielding Thai man.

The footage generated extensive online debate, with many users calling for authorities to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether any criminal offences had been committed. Some comments criticised what they described as disrespectful behaviour by visitors towards local people and places.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Waikun was later diagnosed with a fractured eye socket, blurred vision and pain around his left eye and jaw. He filed a police report and provided video evidence recorded by witnesses to investigators.

Police had to intervene to stop the confrontation and took both men to hospital for treatment, while officers seized the weapons involved and continued gathering evidence.

The Daily News reported that authorities have not released details about the foreign man’s identity and it remains unclear whether any counter-complaint has been filed. Police are examining witness statements and video footage as part of their investigation and are expected to determine whether further legal action will follow.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 16 June 2026

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3 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

foreign man used a metal bar to chase and attack a Thai man during a confrontation in Phuket, before later being pursued by the man carrying a sword

The weapons challenge, mine is bigger than yours. 😂

It's similar story line to..... what animal would survive in a fight, a salt water crocodile or a great white shark.

See? If the Thai guy had a gun he wouldn't have had to carry that sword all the way back.

🤣

What we saying .... Benidorm Brit or Russian ?

41 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The footage generated extensive online debate, with many users calling for authorities to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether any criminal offences had been committed.

There are some smart users there. Debate over if any criminal offences had been committed???? 😂

6 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

What we saying .... Benidorm Brit or Russian ?

With shorts like that.

Got to be 100% American.

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

What we saying .... Benidorm Brit or Russian ?

Phuket people maybe.

People don't usually go get a sword from the armoury at home as a defensive measure!

Thais seem to carry a gun, sword or hammer as standard

1 hour ago, rocketboy2 said:

With shorts like that.

Got to be 100% American.

sounds like a British accent to me.

how to get yourself killed in Thailand 101

Don't worry when the visa free period is reduced to 30 days again all this behaviour will stop.

3 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

What we saying .... Benidorm Brit or Russian ?

Benidorm Essex for sure.

A simple drug test and police report from home country would stop all this lot. Come on Thailand, stop being the laughing stock of the world

Definitely a Brit.We’ve excelled ourselves today.The first 3 headlines are Brits.

Feels good to be back on top of the league.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

50-year-old Muay Thai instructor Waikun

So disappointed that Muay Thai is shown to be useless.

This is really becoming more snd more entertaining.

3 minutes ago, Keeenok Powell said:

Definitely a Brit.We’ve excelled ourselves today.The first 3 headlines are Brits.

Feels good to be back on top of the league.

I dread to open the AN newsletter nowadays. Ashamed to see what my fellow Brits have been up to.

Quite frankly, it's embarrassing.

He went home to retrieve a sword for self defense I don’t think so, if he he really wanted to defuse the situation he would have then stayed at home not gone back with a sword. He was obviously looking to elevate the situation.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to reports and witness accounts, the dispute began when 50-year-old Muay Thai instructor Waikun, who was waiting for his sister, encountered two foreign tourists riding motorcycles in a manner he believed was taking up too much of the road.

Why did Waikun not mind his own business, when sitting and waiting for his sister. How did the fact, that they were taking up too much of the road even bother him? It seems like an increasing number of locals in Phuket are no longer friendly towards foreigners.

I have an immense dislike for this entitled, narcissistic young foreigner. Causing trouble at a bar beforehand and then returning to the scene of the altercation with a metal bar. His behaviour is unacceptable and does not understand that he is a guest of the country. He is an outright bully and uses his size to intimidate. This individual is bejond rehabilitation and is a danger to society. Jail, fine, deport and ban for life. I do not agree with posters who sympathise with foreigner and said the Thai should have minded his own business. There are times when one has to stand up to the bully, this is his country.

The foreigner needs to go back home

13 minutes ago, Xonax said:

It seems like an increasing number of locals in Phuket are no longer friendly towards foreigners.

It's nothing new, they never have liked us, they just smiled for the money.

In the current dire times, with less money coming in, they show their real nature.

Half naked foreigner: this says enough about his behavior.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to Waikun, he later returned to his home and retrieved a sword for self-defence because he feared further attacks. He stated that he had no intention of attacking the foreign man first.

The situation escalated when the foreign man returned to the scene on a motorcycle carrying a long metal pipe. During the ensuing confrontation, the tip of the sword carried by Waikun reportedly struck the foreign man’s arm, causing a deep cut.

Something missing from the story

4 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

With shorts like that.

Got to be 100% American.

Nah...the clown dressers are always Brits.

12 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

I have an immense dislike for this entitled, narcissistic young foreigner. Causing trouble at a bar beforehand and then returning to the scene of the altercation with a metal bar. His behaviour is unacceptable and does not understand that he is a guest of the country. He is an outright bully and uses his size to intimidate. This individual is bejond rehabilitation and is a danger to society. Jail, fine, deport and ban for life. I do not agree with posters who sympathise with foreigner and said the Thai should have minded his own business. There are times when one has to stand up to the bully, this is his country.

They are both as bad as each other.

The Thai guy with a sword. come on.

6 minutes ago, easydoor said:

Half naked foreigner: this says enough about his behavior.

Time to bring on the Essex girls.

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

What we saying .... Benidorm Brit or Russian ?

Fairly safe to assume a Benidorm Brit in this case, unfortunately.

From the South, though, so it doesn't count as much.

4 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

With shorts like that.

Got to be 100% American.

Accent was Southern English.

22 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

There are times when one has to stand up to the bully, this is his country.

But he won't stand up for "Democracy" !

36 minutes ago, andygrr said:

He went home to retrieve a sword for self defense I don’t think so, if he he really wanted to defuse the situation he would have then stayed at home not gone back with a sword. He was obviously looking to elevate the situation.

He brought a sword because his gun was out of bullets.