The incident on Bangla Rd was reported by Phuket Tourist Police this morning (Jan 5). In a brief publication on Facebook, officials revealed that a “quarrel” erupted “between British tourists and South African tourists” in Phuket’s main dsignated entertainment zone.
The altercation resulted in minor injuries, leading authorities to call in Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation to transport the injured parties to Patong Hospital.
While the exact time and location of the conflict were not disclosed by Phuket Tourist Police, photos from the scene depicted officers, local security guards, and foreign volunteers calming down several able-bodied foreign men near the eastern entrance to Bangla Rd.
Officials withheld the identities of the tourists involved and made no mention of police charges. According to Phuket Tourist Police, the parties reached a resolution amongst themselves following law enforcement intervention.
In late December, Phuket Tourist Police certified 117 ‘volunteer guards’ to help bolster safety on Bangla Rd where the nightlife venues were granted 4am closing.
The training and the use of ‘volunteer guards’, namely nightlife venue security staff, came under the Strong Tourism Community (STC) project rolled out by Tourist Police Commander Lt Gen Saksira Phueakum.
The 117 ‘volunteer guards’ received training in: being a good host; providing assistance and tactical guidelines for maintaining safety for tourists; and first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The aim of the volunteer guards participating in the training was “to create confidence among them so they know and understand their role and duty of being a good host in helping to take care of the safety of tourists in Soi Bangla”, according to Phuket Tourist Police.