The post, which labeled the tourists as “arrogant” and referenced the hashtag #FrenchMafia, questioned local authorities’ inaction. “Admin would like to question #PatongPolice: are they silent, ignorant, or is something blocking their view?” the post read, pointing to what some see as lax enforcement in the area.
The incident occurred on Prachanukroh Rd, a bustling area popular with tourists. According to the clip, one of the tourists parked his motorcycle directly in the alley, making it impassable for locals.
The video quickly gained traction online, drawing a wave of criticism from netizens. Comments ranged from frustration with the behavior of the tourists to calls for stricter law enforcement.
One user wrote, “It won’t be long before things escalate,” while another called for action: “Set up a team to suppress these issues like in Pattaya.”
Many others lamented the perceived leniency toward foreign tourists, with remarks such as “Free visa, only foreigners are peeping and causing trouble,” and “Annoying behaviour, bad habits.”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in popular tourist destinations where conflicts between visitors and locals occasionally arise. Residents are urging authorities to address these issues to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Patong Police yesterday (Jan 15) posted a brief report on their new official Facebook page in response to “#FrenchMafia Sparks Chaos on Private Road in Phuket”
The incident occurred on a private road next to Kasikorn Bank on Prachanukroh Rd at about 9:30pm on Jan 12, Patong Police said.
“A commotion unfolded on a private road near Kasikorn Bank’s Prachanukroh Branch, where a van driver confronted a reckless tourist for driving carelessly and loudly. During the heated argument, a loud crash drew everyone’s attention to a nearby accident,” Patong Police reported.
The tourist in question had struck a motorcycle parked along the side of the road, said the report.
“This incident escalated into a physical altercation involving the tourist’s friends, the van driver, and local residents, causing significant chaos in the area. Local police quickly arrived on the scene to defuse the situation and restore order,” the report concluded.