The event, which occurred shortly after 2am, was captured on CCTV footage, which has since gone viral on social media with hashtags like #FreeVisaEntryAgain and #CrazyForeigner.
The German man had arrived at Da Luka Pizza & Pasta, and after a period of talking with the owner’s husband, also a foreigner, suddenly began throwing objects around the shop before physically attacking the owner.
The owner’s husband explained that before the German man’s violent behaviour, he talked incessantly and appeared agitated.
The situation escalated when the German man smashed a car parked outside the shop and then crossed the street to a nearby convenience store, where he continued to cause chaos, prompting employees to flee.
The owner of the pizza shop, ‘Ms Nga’, recounted the ordeal. She explained that the man had come in earlier, ordered a pizza, beer and a shot of liquor, and then returned hours later in a visibly agitated state.
At one point, he began removing his clothes and behaving erratically. When Ms Nga’s husband attempted to intervene, the German man attacked him, locking his neck and pushing him to the ground.
Attempts to call the police were initially unsuccessful apparently due to “connection issues”, but eventually, help was sought from a relative.
Meanwhile, the German man damaged the shop’s car, throwing glass and bending the vehicle’s side mirrors before he was confronted. After attacking the owner again, the man continued to the 7-Eleven store across the road, where he continued to cause disruption.
According to reports, this was not the first time the German man had been involved in such incidents, as reports indicated he had caused similar disturbances at other local businesses.
Social media users were quick to express outrage, with many criticising the handling of foreign tourists and calling for stricter law enforcement. Comments included, “Phuket is becoming worse than Pattaya,” and “This is not beyond the Thai police ‒ lock him up and teach him a lesson.”
Officers from Sakhu Police Station arrived at the scene some three hours later. The German presented his passport and confirmed he was a German national, apparently ex-military.
Police have yet to confirm what charges the German man faces, if any.