PHUKET — A video showing a fight between a group of Thais and Arabs, which involved punching and the use of brooms and beach branches during a brawl on Sunday, drew widespread criticism on social media.
On October 28, a Khaosod reporter in Phuket Province inquired with Patong Police officers and found that no formal complaint had been filed regarding the incident. The reporter then traveled to Patong Beach in Kathu Sub-district, Kathu District, to interview local witnesses.
Mr. Ko, an eyewitness who posted the video clip on Facebook, said the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on October 27. Arab tourists were playing beach volleyball with a group of Thais, starting from around 5 p.m. They had set rules that the losing side must leave the court while the winning side continues playing.
However, when the Arab side lost, they refused to leave, leading to an argument with the Thai side that escalated into a physical fight.
Mr. Ko wasn’t sure about the extent of injuries, so he didn’t report it to the police, and no police officers came to the scene. He said he posted the clip to show that tourists should not engage in such violent behavior.
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