Foreign Tourists Fined After Assaulting Security Guards on Phuket’s Bangla Road

Two foreign women have been fined 10,000 baht each after an altercation with security guards outside a nightlife venue on Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket.

The incident occurred on May 5 and quickly attracted public attention after video footage spread across Thai social media platforms. The clip showed a group of foreign women approaching the entrance checkpoint of a bar shortly before the confrontation began.

In the footage, one of the women appears to strike a security guard in the face. The guard does not respond physically, while other members of the security team intervene and attempt to escort the group away from the entrance without escalating the situation.

According to information shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page, the dispute reportedly started when the women became unhappy about having their belongings inspected before entering the venue. The bag checks were part of the establishment’s standard security procedures.

The incident triggered widespread discussion online, with many Thai social media users criticizing the tourists’ behavior and expressing concern about visitors ignoring local rules. Numerous commenters praised the guards for remaining calm and called on authorities to take appropriate action.

Patong Police confirmed that a formal complaint was filed and that legal action followed. According to Channel 7, the women were charged with participating in a public disturbance, an offense punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 baht.

They also faced charges under Section 295 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for physical assault. The offense carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both.

Police identified two women in the video as having directly participated in the assault. Both were fined 10,000 baht in connection with the incident.

The penalties sparked mixed reactions among local residents. Some argued that the punishment was too lenient and warned that incidents involving unruly tourists could damage Phuket’s reputation as a travel destination.

Police, however, stated that the case was handled according to existing legal procedures and described the penalties as appropriate for the circumstances.

The case follows another widely discussed altercation in Pattaya last month, where a foreign man was filmed provoking and attacking a Thai resident on a roadside. Although bystanders eventually intervened, authorities have not yet provided an update on the legal outcome of that incident.