Phuket tensions rise as a Western expat assaults a Chinese woman at a mall, sparking viral controversy. Police mediate while the island also deals with a brawl between Kuwaiti tourists and Thai nightlife workers, fueling concerns about escalating violence in the area.
Police at Wichit Police Station on Wednesday tried to mediate a resolution to a physical conflict that broke out on Monday at the island’s biggest shopping centre. In short, a hostile Western expat is reported to have assaulted a Chinese woman after she called him to account for verbally abusing her mother. At length, the battle between the Western foreigner and his Thai wife and two Chinese women went viral online. It comes as the island is also dealing with another controversial video clip—a street brawl between Kuwaiti tourists and Thai nightlife workers on Soi Bangla in Patong, which broke out during the week.
An accidental bump on Monday led to the filing of a police complaint after a fracas between an expat and his Thai wife and two Chinese women.
On Wednesday, it was reported that investigators at Wichit Police Station in Phuket were attempting to resolve matters between the parties.
On August 19th, a Chinese woman identified as Ms. W, the mother of a young Chinese resident, Ms. Yoyo, bumped into an expat foreigner at the Foresta Shopping Mall. Located on the outskirts of Phuket town, it is the largest shopping mall on the holiday island.
Accidental bump near Hermès store escalates into a confrontation with a Western expat and his Thai wife
The incident occurred near the Hermès store at an exit from the centre.
In short, Ms. W accidentally bumped into the foreigner. He appeared to be a Western man wearing a black T-shirt and black slacks. He was accompanied by a woman who appeared to be his Thai wife.
Following the accident, the Chinese woman made a wai as a gesture of apology. However, in return, she found herself upbraided by the expat foreigner, who appeared extremely irate.
In addition, he is reported to have used crude and offensive language. At length, this caused Ms. Yoyo to step forward to defend her mother. “What did you say? Who are you insulting?” she asked.
In turn, the expat approached and kicked her. In addition, the expat’s Thai wife became hostile and pushed her.
Foreigner and Thai wife attempted to leave the scene but were followed by a Chinese woman seeking police action
Thereupon, the foreigner and his Thai wife made to take their leave. However, the Chinese woman demanded they stay and wait for the police.
At the same time, she followed and tried to stop the foreigner from walking away. In short, this resulted in another physical struggle. Eventually, the foreigner and his wife left the shopping centre.
They entered a taxi that was heading toward the Kathu area of Phuket on Wichit Songkhram Road. Nonetheless, Ms. Yoyo took down the taxi’s registration plate, which she passed on to local police.
The shocked Chinese woman phoned her Thai husband. She told him she had been assaulted at the shopping centre by a foreign man. After that, she decided to file a police complaint.
Injured Chinese woman received medical attention and filed a criminal complaint with Phuket police
Before that, however, she visited Vachira Phuket Hospital to have medics examine her. Subsequently, she filed a criminal complaint for assault at Wichit Police Station.
Afterwards, a video clip of the incident appeared on Facebook. The clip was 3 minutes and 19 seconds long and drew mixed and somewhat wry commentary.
In effect, Thai locals were left bewildered by the conduct between a Chinese woman and an expat Western foreigner.
At the same time, Phuket police are under pressure after another disturbing incident this week. This involved a street brawl between Thai locals, including bar workers, and Kuwaiti nationals on Soi Bangla in the Patong nightlife area of Phuket.
Escalating violence and street brawls in Phuket raise concerns as foreign tourists and locals clash
In short, the altercation between a Kuwaiti woman and a number of Thai women drew in supporters on each side. At one point, in disturbing video footage, a young Thai man is seen pointing a knife at the Kuwaiti tourist as they made their retreat from the scene.
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Some locals have blamed Thailand’s extended nightlife hours until 4 a.m. in tourist hotspots for that incident. Certainly, the holiday island has been plagued this year by street incidents and violence involving both foreign residents and tourists.
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Further reading:
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