A late-night disagreement over a 60-baht fruit payment in Patong escalated into a violent confrontation, leaving a foreign tourist from Azerbaijan seriously injured after being stabbed in the abdomen by a street vendor.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, in front of Patong Medical Clinic on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road. Patong Police were alerted to the scene, with Deputy Superintendent of Investigation Pol Lt Col Somprasong Labaisat leading the response, accompanied by a rescue team from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation.
Victim and Incident Details
Upon arrival, officers found the victim, 33-year-old Orxan Hidayet Oglu Orkhan, lying on the sidewalk with a severe stab wound to his stomach. Emergency responders quickly transported him to Patong Hospital for urgent medical care. Authorities have not yet released an official update on his condition, but his injury was described as serious.
Nearby, police encountered the suspect, 25-year-old Pannawit Yongyosying, waiting outside the clinic. According to police reports, Pannawit admitted to stabbing the tourist during a heated dispute. The conflict began when Mr. Orkhan allegedly consumed fruit from the sidecar stall operated by Pannawit and his girlfriend, then refused to pay the 60-baht charge.
How the Argument Turned Violent
In his statement to police, Pannawit claimed the situation quickly escalated from a verbal altercation to physical violence. He alleged that after a tense exchange of words, he drew a knife and stabbed the tourist once in the abdomen.
Witnesses reported that the confrontation appeared sudden and shocked passersby in the busy nightlife district, where such disputes usually remain verbal and rarely turn deadly.
Police Response and Legal Action
Following the stabbing, police immediately took Pannawit into custody and transported him to Patong Police Station for interrogation. Investigators are currently gathering witness statements and reviewing security camera footage from nearby businesses to piece together the full sequence of events.
Pannawit faces criminal charges, with police expected to formally file them in the coming days. The exact nature of the charges will depend on Mr. Orkhan’s medical prognosis, but attempted murder or grievous bodily harm are possibilities given the severity of the injury.
Broader Safety Concerns
The incident has sparked discussions about tourist safety in Patong, one of Phuket’s most popular destinations known for its vibrant nightlife. Disputes between tourists and street vendors over pricing have been reported before, but rarely do they result in serious injury.
Local officials are urging both residents and visitors to exercise restraint in conflicts and to resolve disagreements through lawful means rather than resorting to violence. The Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, which frequently responds to accidents and altercations in the area, emphasized the importance of immediate medical intervention in such cases, noting that swift treatment can be the difference between life and death.
Police are expected to release further details once Mr. Orkhan’s condition stabilizes and the investigation progresses. The stabbing serves as a stark reminder that even minor disputes can spiral into dangerous confrontations in high-stress environments.
