A Thai ice cream vendor has been detained after a Ukrainian tourist was attacked on a road near Kata Beach in Phuket on July 29. Police said the 33-year-old suspect, Parinya, was later found to have tested positive for drugs.

The incident was captured in footage circulated on Thai social media, showing a man in a black long-sleeved shirt attacking a foreign tourist dressed in a black top and shorts.

The attacker was seen repeatedly punching the tourist after he had fallen to the ground. The victim was eventually able to get away.

Tourist taken to hospital

Karon Police Station officers who went to the scene found two Ukrainian nationals, identified as Dmitrii and Dmytroy. One of the men had been injured and was taken to Vajira Phuket Hospital for treatment.

Reports said the suspect, believed to have been under the influence of drugs, also tried to stab local residents who stepped in to help the tourist. Bystanders restrained and beat the man and held him until police arrived.

Video from the scene show the suspect holding a knife. However, it was not clear whether it was used during the assault on the tourist, and no visible knife wounds could be seen in the footage.

Police have not provided a further update on the injured Ukrainian man's condition.

Motive still under investigation

Police identified the alleged attacker as Parinya, originally from Chachoengsao province, who had moved to Phuket to work as an ice cream vendor.

Pictures courtesy of Phuket Times

Officers said he remained agitated when they arrived and took him into custody. He underwent a urine drug test which, police said, returned a positive result.

The motive for the attack remains under investigation. No further information has been released on what led to the confrontation near the popular Kata Beach area.

For foreign residents and visitors, the case is a reminder that incidents can occur even around Phuket's busy tourist beaches and nearby roads. Anyone witnessing an emergency can call the police on 191, while the Tourist Police helpline is 1155.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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31 July 2026

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Welcome to Thailand. Enjoy the beautiful country, but watch out for being attacked by the drugged up locals. Great way to curb your increased tourism problem.

"...Bystanders restrained and beat the man and held him until police arrived..."

Maybe a little over-zealous in their response, but these locals deserve to be commended. Afterall, the perp did try to stab them!

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A Thai ice cream vendor

Looks more like an "Ice" vendor.

Congratulations to the bystanders.

Yes, the Thais are strong in a 3 against 1 situation.🤣

3 hours ago, jcmj said:

Welcome to Thailand. Enjoy the beautiful country, but watch out for being attacked by the drugged up locals. Great way to curb your increased tourism problem.

Similarly a heads up for Thais...

...and sometimes getting kicked by foreigners while sitting on your door step.

...getting killed in the hotel room and getting stuffed in to a suitcase.

We foreigners get amnesia where we are at fault.

7 minutes ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

Yes, the Thais are strong in a 3 against 1 situation.🤣

Never heard of vise versa situation, in recent times?

35 minutes ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

Yes, the Thais are strong in a 3 against 1 situation.🤣

Easy to ridicule, but when is the last time you subdued a crazed man doped up on crystal meth? Yaba is a very bad item.

3 hours ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

Yes, the Thais are strong in a 3 against 1 situation.🤣

In the West, it often takes a team of six to eight police officers to subdue a man who is high on drugs and armed with a knife.

In Thailand, however, such situations are addressed in a uniquely Thai manner—not according to my way, your way, the High Way or any other standard method, but just the Thai way.

This approach is quite common in the provinces, and I've witnessed it many times.

I believe that the assistance provided by bystanders in these situations in Thailand is genuinely beneficial, even if the bad guy gets beaten up. And in this incident, the guy really deserved that beating and holding him down until police arrived.

In Western countries, handling a suspect in this manner could lead to legal troubles, which is why people are reluctant to intervene. Everyone fears potential court consequences for stepping in.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Easy to ridicule, but when is the last time you subdued a crazed man doped up on crystal meth? Yaba is a very bad item.

I'm guessing the anti cannabis regime will be posting that he only had a few puffs from a blunt or perhaps ate a single 2% THC gummy.

10 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Looks more like an "Ice" vendor.

I think he will need to brush up on his client care skills before he starts work

Why did you keep on insisting on that extra scoop? I told you I was only going to give you two scoops.

Troll post removed @PhilipHabib

On 7/31/2026 at 5:59 PM, spidermike007 said:

Why did you keep on insisting on that extra scoop? I told you I was only going to give you two scoops.

Maybe the customer asked for a 99 - he thought the customer said 69 and then it all kicked off?