2 Phuket police spark debate after using force against foreign tourist
A viral video showing two Thai police officers using force to restrain a foreign man, who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket, has sparked mixed reactions among netizens.
The video was shared yesterday, March 12, by a foreign Facebook user named Brenin DeOliveira, with a caption that read…
“Thai cops don’t play! Allegedly, he punched a woman in the face. When the cops arrived, he told them that no man could control him. I guess he was wrong!”
In the footage, one of the police officers could be seen kicking the foreign man in the leg, causing him to fall to the ground. The officer then restrained the man by pressing him to the ground with his knee and delivering a single punch to the head. Meanwhile, another officer used a baton to strike the man’s leg.
The location of the incident was not specified in the post but it is believed to have taken place at the popular entertainment venue Soi Bangla in Phuket. The exact time of the incident was also not mentioned.
The video attracted significant attention from Thai netizens, many of whom expressed their approval in the comments.
“Thai police should take this as an example. They have lost too much dignity to this kind of foreigner. Foreigners aren’t afraid of the Thai police. Thai people are ready to support this kind of policing!”
“I have been waiting for the police to do this for too long!”
“He (the foreigner) was lucky to encounter the police. If he had been attacked by locals or bar security guards, the situation would have been far worse.”
“Finally, Thai police are doing the right thing when it comes to bad tourists.”
“Good job, Thai police. Respect!”
However, many other netizens felt that the officers’ actions were excessive. Some argued that the police would face severe criticism if they acted in the same way in Western countries.
Others defended the officers, claiming that Thai police generally do not respond violently to suspects and that the foreign tourist deserved such treatment given his actions.
In a separate incident on Soi Bangla, another foreign national was recently attacked, not by the police, but by Thai transwomen working at the entertainment venues. The assault reportedly occurred after the foreigner failed to pay for his meal.
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