The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for immediate police action.
The case gained widespread attention after a popular Phuket page broadcasted a live video, showing a fisherman being threatened with a machete. The video quickly went viral, drawing comments such as "Let’s get to the end of it" and "Why didn’t the police arrest him?"
The fisherman, ‘Mr Wut’, captured the incident on video. He described how, on the day of the incident, he and his friends had been fishing at Kamala Beach before heading to Pa Phrao, near a local café. It was here that they encountered a man in a white shirt and jeans, demanding a toll of B50 per person.
Mr. Wut recounted his confrontation with the toll collector, who claimed to be sent by the owner of bungalows in the area. When Mr Wut began recording the encounter, the man brandished a machete and demanded they talk elsewhere. Fearing for their safety, Mr Wut and his friends left and reported the incident to the police.
However, Mr Wut expressed frustration with the police response. According to him, officers at Patong Police Station dismissed the case, stating that no harm had come to them and no money was exchanged. The only potential charge they considered was for carrying a knife in public.
"Personally, I think it could be considered extortion. But police say it’s just a story," he said.
Mr Wut highlighted the danger posed to tourists, especially foreigners unaware of such threats. "It’s scary if foreigners go around 6pm. What do you do when attacked by a machete?" he said.
Affan Wama, a friend who was present during the incident, echoed Mr Wut’s concerns. He stated that despite having video evidence showing the man holding a machete and money, the police refused to file a report, deeming it hearsay.
The incident occurred on Sunday (June 30), around 4pm. Both Mr Wut and Mr Affan are urging the public to take the matter seriously and for authorities to ensure the safety of beachgoers in Phuket.