PHUKET — Tourist brawls in Bangla Soi, Patong Beach, Phuket have become nearly daily occurrences, with videos regularly circulating on social media. The latest incidents occurred early Friday morning with two separate altercations happening in close proximity.
The first incident took place at 2:50 a.m. near the entrance of Patong Whisky Soi. Video footage shows a foreign male tourist knocking another unconscious with a punch. Friends of the unconscious man subsequently confronted the attacker, but entertainment venue staff and bystanders intervened, eventually dispersing the crowd.
A second incident followed at 5:25 a.m., captured in a 17-second clip showing intoxicated foreign tourists fighting among themselves, with companions attempting to break up the altercation before one party fled the scene.
According to the video recorder, such incidents occur almost nightly after tourists drink to excess. Most altercations result in minor injuries, with participants typically returning to their accommodations afterward. The frequency of these fights has become so commonplace that locals have nicknamed the area “Bangla Stadium.”
Bangla is a Walking Street that, despite being only 350 meters long, has gained renowned fame as Patong’s bustling nightlife tourist destination. It evolved from what was originally just a general market pedestrian pathway. Police response teams arrive when alerted by residents.
In the case shortly before 3 a.m., officers arrived opposite Seadragon Soi to find a foreign victim who declined to press charges. However, police later located the alleged aggressor, an Australian national named Liam, in front of Bangkok Bank on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road. The man was heavily intoxicated, incoherent, and causing a disturbance.
Officers identified themselves and took Liam to Patong Police Station to calm down, concerned he might harm himself or others if left on the street. A formal arrest report was subsequently filed.
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