PATONG, THAILAND – A late-night fight between two foreign tourists near Bangla Road ended with an Australian man in hospital and his companion fleeing the scene.
Fight on Patong party strip turns violent
The confrontation occurred at about 2.40 a.m. on Thaweewong Road in Tambon Patong, Kathu district, only a few metres from the entrance to Soi Bangla.
According to police, the two men had argued earlier inside Soi Bangla before the dispute spilled out onto the street and escalated into a physical fight.
Facebook video shows collapse on the street
An eyewitness posted video of the incident on Facebook, where the user was named Apichat Phanchalad.
The footage showed the men grappling until one suddenly collapsed and lay motionless on the ground.
Police find injured Australian as second man escapes
Police were alerted and arrived shortly after, finding an injured foreign man lying on the road.
Officers later identified him as an Australian tourist, while the second man had already fled before the patrol reached the scene, according to police.
Official account: dispute reportedly about a woman
Pol. Col. Korakrit Khankhrea, head of Patong Police Station, said the injured man told officers he had argued with his friend.
The dispute reportedly stemmed from a conflict “over a woman” that began verbally and then turned violent.
Rescue workers give first aid and take victim to hospital
Volunteers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation provided first aid at the scene and stabilised the man.
He was then taken to Patong Hospital for further treatment.
Police advise formal complaint or case may stall
Police advised the victim to file a formal complaint so that an investigation and any legal action could proceed.
Without an official complaint, authorities said their options were often limited in such cases, especially when the alleged offender had already disappeared.
Questions over safety on Bangla Road
Incidents like this near Bangla Road raised questions about whether party hotspots marked by alcohol, jealousy and narrow lanes should be monitored more consistently.
The debate focused on whether police in Patong should show a more visible presence at night or whether stricter rules for bars and alcohol sales were needed.