Chaos unfolded on a busy road in Phuket’s Patong area early yesterday morning, December 23, after a foreign man allegedly slapped a Thai woman, triggering a heated street confrontation that was captured on video and widely shared online.
The incident first came to public attention when a Thai witness, Jeerawut Wangnurak, posted video footage on his Facebook account at around 6.30am. In his post, Jeerawut described the street as frequently chaotic in the morning and claimed that the altercation began when a foreign man slapped a Thai woman hard across the face. The video quickly spread across social media platforms and was later reposted by several Thai media outlets.
The footage showed a Thai woman wearing polka-dot clothing holding a black aluminium chair and attempting to throw it toward a group of three foreign men. Another Thai man was also seen holding a chair and chasing after the group. As tensions escalated, several bystanders and individuals believed to be friends of the woman gathered nearby, watching the confrontation unfold in the middle of the street.
The three foreign men were seen retreating from the scene, running down the road as the Thai group followed. At one point, one of the foreign men picked up a chair and appeared to threaten to throw it back toward the group before deciding to back away and flee. No serious injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath, though the situation caused alarm among locals and tourists in the area.
Subsequent reports confirmed that the incident took place on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road in the Patong sub-district of Kathu district. This area is well known for its nightlife, heavy tourist foot traffic, and early-morning activity, making public disturbances particularly noticeable and concerning.
Later, the Thai woman involved in the incident spoke to reporters, offering her account of how the confrontation began. She claimed that one of the foreign men, who she said appeared to be intoxicated and was believed to be Arab, used racist language toward her and spat in her direction. According to her statement, the situation escalated rapidly when the man allegedly slapped her in the face, prompting her to defend herself.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion online about tourist behavior, respect for local communities, and public safety in popular travel destinations. Many social media users expressed concern over repeated conflicts in nightlife areas, calling for stronger measures to prevent violence and ensure mutual respect between visitors and residents.
Local authorities have not yet released detailed statements regarding possible charges or further investigation. However, the viral footage has increased public pressure for accountability and clearer enforcement of laws aimed at maintaining order in Phuket’s tourist hubs.
