Tourist brutally attacked by taxi drivers in Phuket (video)

Motorbike taxi drivers brutally assaulted a tourist, rendering him unconscious outside a prominent shopping mall in Patong Beach. A video clip shared on Facebook by Phuket Info Centre revealed the attack, sparking outrage and criticism from netizens.

The incident took place today, July 15, at approximately 3am, when a group of motorbike taxi drivers attacked a tourist outside the Central Patong Mall. The video shows three drivers kicking the tourist until he lay unconscious on the roadside.

A bystanding male tourist attempted to intervene, but the group of drivers walked away shortly after. Subsequently, a female tourist arrived by motorbike and assisted the injured individual.

The video, lasting 20 seconds, was shared with a caption highlighting the incident, urging police and relevant authorities to take action.

Following the video’s release, social media users expressed their concerns and criticisms. Many condemned the violent behaviour of the motorbike taxi drivers, with some stating that the incident tarnished the image of tourism in the area. Comments included remarks like,

“This taxi stand is filled with thugs. Tourists will be scared to use such services after seeing this news.”

One user emphasised the need for legal action.

“They should be prosecuted for assault. Authorities must enforce the law.”

The video also raised broader issues regarding the safety and regulation of motorbike taxi services in Patong. Some commenters pointed out that many drivers in the area operate without proper public driving licenses, and there is a lack of oversight on their conduct. Others highlighted that these drivers often wear blue vests and use white-plate vehicles, which are not properly registered for public transport.

The incident has prompted calls for stricter regulations and monitoring of motorbike taxi services in tourist areas to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors. Local police are being urged to take immediate action against those involved and to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The three motorbike taxis involved, 37 year old Jatupol, 25 year old Thanakorn, and 25 year old Sayumphu were detained. The injured party is a 30 year old tourist from Kuwait.

The next steps will await the victim’s statement of charges before proceeding with legal action against all three suspects involved, reported KhaoSod.