A foreign national has drawn criticism after being filmed sitting on the edge of an abandoned eight-storey building in Phuket's Wichit district while friends took photographs.

Residents recorded the episode and shared it online, where the footage gained widespread attention before being republished by several Thai news outlets. The report was published on July 31, 2026.

Footage triggers local alarm

The video shows the man on the upper floor with both legs hanging over the side of the unfinished concrete structure. There are no protective walls or balcony railings on any of the floors.

A Thai man filming the scene can be heard warning of the risk. "What will happen if this foreigner falls? Don't do this. Such a quality tourist. This is dangerous, very dangerous," he said.

It was not clear how many people had entered the building, or whether others travelling with the man had also gone up to the rooftop.

An unprotected and abandoned site

Locals told reporters that construction at the site was abandoned more than four years ago. Construction materials and exposed steel reinforcement bars are still present on the ground floor, creating further risks for anyone who enters.

Picture courtesy of One News

Residents said the landowner allows vendors to operate businesses near the entrance in return for helping keep watch over the property. Vendors said they spotted tourists going inside while they were running their stalls nearby.

One resident told the media that a Thai national had previously died after falling from the rooftop of the same building.

The resident urged both Thai people and foreign visitors not to enter the structure, citing the danger of serious injury as well as the potential consequences of accessing private land without authorisation.

Safety before social media photographs

Phuket's mix of construction sites, undeveloped plots and abandoned buildings can be tempting locations for photographs, particularly for tourists unfamiliar with the area. However, visitors should stay within public access areas and avoid entering sites that are fenced, unguarded or clearly unfinished.

The footage has renewed local concerns that a photograph taken from a dangerous location can quickly become a fatal fall.

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1 August 2026

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Yet another example of tourist idiocy that stokes the nitizen fire!

It’s flat‑out disrespectful: if he falls, it’s Thai rescue crews and locals left to clean up his mess.

That’s not adventure, it’s arrogance.

Charge with tresspassing and fined. Deported.

He must have some very proud parents.

I-D-I-O-T !!

Edited August 1Aug 1 by mushroomdave

The building should be adequately secured to prevent entry.

It’s not just to stop idiot adults (both Thai and farang) as has happened in the past, but also kids who don’t fully recognise the dangers posed by derelict buildings.

2 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

It’s flat‑out disrespectful: if he falls, it’s Thai rescue crews and locals left to clean up his mess

Isn't that their job that they are paid to do?

When are the authorities going to demolish this "abandoned" building that's been standing for over 4 years? Doing so would eliminate the risks for people who trespass into these structures, but above all, it would get rid of its ugliness, which isn't flattering for the residents and visitors of this beautiful country.

4 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Yet another example of tourist idiocy that stokes the nitizen fire!

It’s flat‑out disrespectful: if he falls, it’s Thai rescue crews and locals left to clean up his mess.

That’s not adventure, it’s arrogance.

"One resident told the media that a Thai national had previously died after falling from the rooftop of the same building" .... I guess youth arrogrance is not restricted to foreigners. May I conclude that youth arrogance is universal (smile)?

The sad part about this is that 55 years ago I remmber a university student pulling a similar stunt. Fell to the ground and died. Two days later all forgoten. My younger brother displayed little sympathy. Business as usual the at campus, classes had to be attended essays had to be written. Youth arrogrance springs eternal from generation to genaration.

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Isn't that their job that they are paid to do?

So, you think the rescue foundation people are employed and get a salary? Right! How long time you been in Thailand?

Its voluntary work, for most of the rescue people.

22 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

So, you think the rescue foundation people are employed and get a salary? Right! How long time you been in Thailand?

Its voluntary work, for most of the rescue people.

They have no problem scraping people off the roads daily from RTA's, what's the difference?

Maybe slightly more splatter?

This guy's on a DTV Visa?

We don't know what this poor guy is going through. Maybe he wanted to end it all. Because his gf left him. Or he ran out of money.

Judge not, lest ye be judged...

2 hours ago, Look Chang said:

When are the authorities going to demolish this "abandoned" building that's been standing for over 4 years? Doing so would eliminate the risks for people who trespass into these structures, but above all, it would get rid of its ugliness, which isn't flattering for the residents and visitors of this beautiful country.

The authorities cannot unilaterally demolish privately owned property!

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

So, you think the rescue foundation people are employed and get a salary? Right! How long time you been in Thailand?

Its voluntary work, for most of the rescue people.

My comment referred to "Thai rescue crews", i.e. EMS services which are not volunteer services.

In relation to your point, the rescue foundation volunteers are exactly that, volunteers who know exactly what the work they have to do is because they're rescue volunteers. They choose to provide the service.

6 hours ago, blaze master said:

Charge with tresspassing and fined. Deported.

Simply entering and sitting down in property doesn't meet the requirements for a trespass charge but, even if it did, it wouldn't justify deportation.

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Locals told reporters that construction at the site was abandoned more than four years ago. Construction materials and exposed steel reinforcement bars are still present on the ground floor, creating further risks for anyone who enters

Residents said the landowner allows vendors to operate businesses near the entrance in return for helping keep watch over the property

So it's an abandoned construction with a landowner and vendors using it with the approval of the owner, not an abandoned property.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Liverpool Lou

Let him remove himself from the gene pool... Darwin Awards work well.

2 hours ago, Look Chang said:

When are the authorities going to demolish this "abandoned" building that's been standing for over 4 years? Doing so would eliminate the risks for people who trespass into these structures, but above all, it would get rid of its ugliness, which isn't flattering for the residents and visitors of this beautiful country.

It's not an abandoned building it's an abandoned construction.

23 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

it's an abandoned construction.

It’s not an abandoned construction. It’s a site where construction has been abandoned.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by novacova

Fools and daredevils climb all over high and dangerous structures and natural features everywhere. I've seen many pics of people dangling their legs over the edge of a famous lookout rock above a Norwegian fiord, or climbing on Rio's christ statue. There is even an awards system for many of them called The Darwins.

For people concerned about idiots playing on old building sites, talk to the owners, builders or government authorities to close if off and charge the trespassers.

Don't take to F/book for another opportunity to demonise all foreigners.

20 minutes ago, novacova said:

It’s not an abandoned construction. It’s a site where construction has been abandoned.

Thank you for correcting me.

Arrest, large fine, long prison stay, lots of press, then DEPORT, BAN FOR LIFE.

A couple of those in the news, should stop the idiots. Should do that with all the multiple repeat drunk drivers & disorderly conduct convicted folks. ENOUGH ALREADY.

22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Arrest, large fine, long prison stay, lots of press, then DEPORT, BAN FOR LIFE.

A couple of those in the news, should stop the idiots. Should do that with all the multiple repeat drunk drivers & disorderly conduct convicted folks. ENOUGH ALREADY.

All that for taking a few photos?

6 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Isn't that their job that they are paid to do?

I don't accept that comment.

Better if all people behaved like intelligent adults so that rescue crews don't have to put their lives / their safety at risk.

31 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

All that for taking a few photos?

No, for voilating trespassing laws, and reckless endangerment, of self and whatever. If they fell, and unluckily didn't die, just another 'go fund my stupidity' as if having insurance, it wouldn't be covered. Or even the return of body back to home.

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Because his gf left him. Or he ran out of money.

You think it's ok for a grown man to end his life because his gf left him?

Of course that needs to be judged. It's incredibly stupid and not a valid reason for suicide whatsoever.

3 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Simply entering and sitting down in property doesn't meet the requirements for a trespass charge but, even if it did, it wouldn't justify deportation.

Many thanks to you for stating the obvious.

Carry on.

6 hours ago, save the frogs said:

You think it's ok for a grown man to end his life because his gf left him?

Of course that needs to be judged. It's incredibly stupid and not a valid reason for suicide whatsoever.

Of course not, but we don't know what this young man has been through. We can't judge him.

3 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Of course not, but we don't know what this young man has been through. We can't judge him.

We can't judge what he's been through, but we can indeed judge what he is doing.