Pol Lt Col Kriengkrai Daokrachai, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Thalang Police Station, confirmed that legal action is underway. However, he declined to disclose how many individuals have been charged or specify the charges against each person involved.
The incident occurred at about 5:30pm on Mar 30 on Koh Naka Yai, technically in Moo 5, Pa Khlok, Thalang, according to Phuket Provincial Police.
Initial reports state that two men, identified as Ekaphong Srikhum, 26, and Natthapong Chakrasan, 26, filed a complaint alleging they were assaulted by a group of individuals known only as ‘Ferry’, ‘Goff’ and ‘Best’, whose full names were not provided.
Police said a verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation between both sides, resulting in injuries.
No arrests were made at the scene, but the case was handed over to investigators to pursue legal proceedings.
Senior officers, including Thalang Police Chief Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong, later summoned those involved after the incident gained traction on social media. Both sides were questioned about the cause of the dispute and warned over their conduct, particularly in relation to providing services to tourists. Police also recorded statements from all parties and associated individuals.
A video of the altercation, posted by a local Facebook page, showed a group of men believed to be jet-ski crew members assaulting another man on the beach in full view of tourists. The footage prompted strong backlash online, with many condemning the violence as damaging to Phuket’s tourism image.
An eyewitness said the attack involved a group of men targeting a single individual, continuing for around 20 minutes. The victim was repeatedly beaten on the beach before being dragged into the sea, where the assault continued. The witness described the victim as suffering severe injuries, including facial swelling, a split lip and bleeding.
Further details later emerged from the injured man’s family, indicating the violence may have stemmed from a long-running dispute between workers from competing jet-ski operators.
The man’s sister said her brother, a jet-ski operator and the family’s main income earner, was left with serious injuries requiring intensive care treatment. She said he suffered significant trauma to his left eye and cheekbone, along with bruising across his body, and continued to experience pain in his neck, chest and abdomen. Doctors have conducted X-rays to assess possible internal injuries, while his vision remains impaired due to bleeding in the eye.
She added that tensions between the two groups had existed for some time, often involving arguments while working at sea, such as disputes over customers or manoeuvring of jet skis, but had never previously escalated into violence of this scale.
According to accounts from those involved, the latest confrontation began during operations at sea before escalating later at a restaurant on Koh Naka Yai, a common stop for tour operators and tourists. The victim was allegedly outnumbered and unable to defend himself, with attempts by colleagues to intervene reportedly blocked.
A coworker said minor disputes among operators were not uncommon but were typically resolved without incident. “We’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said, describing how a large group attacked his colleague while others were prevented from stepping in.
“The cause stems from a long-standing conflict between operators from different jet-ski rental companies, including verbal abuse and competition for customers, which escalated into a physical fight,” Pol Lt Col Kriengkrai said.
He added that investigators are continuing to gather evidence and proceed in accordance with the law, but declined to comment further on the case, including any potential compensation discussions between the parties.
Authorities have not confirmed how many people will ultimately face charges. The case remains under investigation.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub
and Natnaree Likidwatanasakun