According to British media reports on December 12, a Russian tourist clashed with two British men who were trying to leave in Thailand, and was subsequently knocked to the ground—a case of “instant karma”.
The late-night altercation occurred on Patong Walking Street on December 10, involving two British men, a female companion, and a Russian man described by witnesses as “extremely” intoxicated.
Footage of the conflict shows the Russian man, wearing a black Mizuno T-shirt, repeatedly approaching to provoke the group as they attempted to leave.
Witnesses stated that the British tourists spent several minutes trying to de-escalate the tension and leave the area, but the Russian man followed them and continued his provocations.
In the video, the Russian tourist at one point assumed an aggressive stance toward one of the British men, raised his fists, and stepped back as onlookers gathered. A passerby tried to intervene, but moments later, one of the British men landed a right hook on the Russian tourist, knocking him to the ground.
Subsequent footage shows the man lying briefly on the sidewalk. He attempted to get up multiple times but was kicked again before other bystanders stepped in to separate the two sides. After the conflict ended, the injured man was seen sitting on the steps near a McDonald’s, with visible blood on his face.
There have been no reports of emergency services arriving at the scene.
A witness using the pseudonym Wilapah said the Russian tourist had been aggressively chasing the group.
“He looked extremely drunk and kept trying to provoke the two British men, one of whom was with his girlfriend. They tried to leave multiple times because they didn’t want trouble, but he kept following them,” he said.
Wilapah added: “The Russian wanted to fight, but was quickly subdued.”
Local police confirmed that no one filed a report or complaint with Patong Police Station following the incident. Patong Walking Street is one of Phuket’s busiest nightlife districts, attracting a large number of international tourists year-round. Since Thailand launched a visa-free program aimed at boosting tourism revenue after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visitors to the island has surged dramatically.
Phuket welcomed approximately 800,000 foreign tourists last year and remains one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations to date.
Local authorities are growing increasingly concerned about the strains caused by overtourism and alcohol-related disturbances in resort areas.
It is estimated that around 1 million British tourists visit Thailand each year.
Last month, a video emerged of a British tourist brawling with another traveler, allegedly over the latter putting their bare feet on his headrest.
Earlier this year, another British tourist was attacked after allegedly refusing to pay a £460 drinks bill.
