PHUKET, THAILAND – Three German tourists were attacked and injured by a group of Thais in Patong in the early hours of Friday, prompting a police manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
Night-time assault on Bangla Road
Police at Patong station were informed about the incident at around 3:00 a.m. on 3 April 2026. The attack took place on Thaveewong Road in Soi Bangla, Patong, in Kathu district.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a large crowd of residents and tourists surrounding the injured foreigners. The situation caused considerable unrest in the busy nightlife area.
The injured: three young Germans
According to police, the victims were identified as Mr. Pascal Werner (20), Mr. Ben Vollmer (19) and Mr. Jann-Arne Maximilian Buchlaub (19. All three were German nationals.
No further details were initially released about the nature or severity of their injuries. After receiving first aid, the men were taken to Patong Hospital for additional treatment.
First aid by rescue workers
First responders from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation provided medical assistance at the scene. They then transported the injured tourists to hospital.
The rapid response was considered important because the incident occurred in a heavily frequented entertainment district. Many visitors were usually present in the area during the night-time hours.
Suspects fled the scene
Initial investigations suggested that the attackers were a group of Thai nationals. They fled immediately after the assault.
Police assumed that several people were involved, as the incident was explicitly described as involving a “group”. No arrests had been reported at the time of publication.
Police review CCTV footage
Patong police worked with an investigation team to secure traces and evidence at the scene. At the same time, they examined recordings from the surrounding area.
CCTV cameras nearby were a key focus in efforts to identify and track down the suspects. Authorities spoke of an ongoing search operation.
Witness interviews and search for a motive
In addition, investigators questioned witnesses and people connected to the case in order to reconstruct the sequence of events. Their aim was to determine the trigger and motive for the assault.
It remained unclear whether a dispute preceded the attack or whether it was a targeted assault. The investigators had not yet provided confirmed information on this point.
Concerns over safety and resort’s image
The incident caused concern among tourists and raised questions about safety in Phuket. Patong was considered one of the island’s most important tourist hotspots.
Soi Bangla in particular was internationally known as a nightlife strip and attracted many visitors every day. Observers were therefore closely following how the case would develop and what impact it might have on the area’s reputation.