Bangla Road brawl: Taxi driver and tourist clash in viral showdown (video)
A shocking street brawl between a tourist and a Patong taxi driver has sent social media into overdrive, leaving Bangla Road’s infamous nightlife under scrutiny once again.
The 18-second video, shared by the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต captures a chaotic scene of men punching and grappling at the bustling end of Bangla Road. Titled Fighting hard #BanglaRoad, Patong, the clip sparked a storm of online reactions ranging from bemusement to outright concern about the area’s image.
While the initial outrage pointed fingers at unruly tourists, the narrative shifted as Patong police identified one of the perpetrators as 38 year old local taxi driver, Kopong Srisuwan. According to Police Lieutenant Wichyu Dampuek, Kopong had already come forward to give his statement.
Kopong claimed the altercation erupted after his uncle, who was holding a sign to attract customers near Kopong’s parked vehicle, was shoved twice by a foreign man. The tourist allegedly escalated the situation by attempting a physical attack, prompting Kopong to intervene. What followed was an all-out brawl that locals tried in vain to defuse.
Despite the dramatic footage, Kopong assured police that the fight ended without serious injuries. He also maintained that his uncle neither said nor did anything to provoke the tourist’s aggression.
Police have since questioned Kopong and recommended he undergo a physical check-up at Patong Hospital. Efforts are now underway to identify the foreign man involved in the scuffle, reported Phuket News.
The viral incident has reignited debates about tourist behaviour in Patong, with many worried about the potential damage to the area’s already notorious reputation. Meanwhile, local police are under pressure to ensure such incidents don’t tarnish Phuket’s appeal as a tourist destination.
In related news, a viral video showing two foreigners fighting each other on a road along Patong Beach in Phuket sparked criticism of weaknesses in Thai laws.
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