Two people were injured in separate knife attacks that occurred just hours apart in Phuket in the early hours of yesterday morning, December 14, raising concerns about public safety in popular tourist and residential areas.
The first incident took place in Patong at around 3am near Coral Beach Bridge, located at the southern end of Thaweewong Road. Patong Police were officially notified at 4.02am after medical staff at Patong Hospital reported treating a man with a stab wound to his rib cage.
The victim was identified as 21-year-old Myanmar national Maung Maung Aye. According to police, he was sitting by the sea with a group of approximately 10 friends when another group of teenagers arrived on motorcycles. During the encounter, one of the teenagers allegedly stabbed him in the side before fleeing the scene.
Police said the victim remained conscious and was able to provide a statement to investigators. No property was reported stolen or damaged, leading authorities to believe the attack was not robbery-related. Officers are now reviewing CCTV footage from nearby locations and possible escape routes in an effort to identify and locate the suspect, whose identity remains unknown.
Less than 90 minutes later, a second stabbing was reported in Phuket Town. The incident occurred at approximately 4.10am inside the Tops Supermarket on Mae Luan Road. Phuket City Police responded quickly after receiving reports of a violent assault inside the store.
The second victim was identified as 26-year-old Waranya, who reportedly sustained multiple stab wounds to her back and neck. Emergency services rushed her to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where she received urgent medical treatment. Her condition was not immediately disclosed.
Police arrested the suspect at the scene and identified him as 36-year-old Choktawee, the victim’s boyfriend. Officers stated that the man, who reportedly suffers from a mental illness, attacked Waranya during a sudden violent outburst inside the supermarket.
According to reports, bystanders intervened during the attack and alerted authorities. Police arrived shortly afterward, detained the suspect without further incident, and confiscated the knife believed to have been used in the assault. Phuket City Police confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and will face legal proceedings following further investigation and a mental health evaluation.
Authorities confirmed that investigations into both knife attacks are ongoing. In the Patong case, police continue to search for the suspect, while in the Phuket Town incident, officers are gathering witness statements and reviewing security footage from inside the supermarket.
The incidents come amid heightened attention on violent crime in Phuket. In a separate case, police are also searching for a large foreign man who allegedly stabbed a British national outside a nightclub in the Choeng Talay area. That suspect remains at large.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and cooperate with authorities as investigations continue into these violent incidents.
