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2 Frenchmen beat up Thai man, 29, in Phuket after he refuses to join Songkran water fight
He had been on his way to meet his girlfriend.
April 17, 2026, 05:38 PM
A 29-year-old Thai man was allegedly attacked by two French nationals in Phuket after refusing to join a Songkran water fight while riding his motorcycle through Patong on Apr. 13.
Police later arrested two Frenchmen, identified as Bouboune Nicolas Florent and Heraoui Abdelkrim, the following day in connection with the assault.
The assault
The victim, identified as Kunanya Phokham, had been riding to meet his girlfriend when he encountered a group of foreigners blocking a road in Soi Tan off Phra Metta Road at around 4pm, according to The Thaiger.
His girlfriend, 27-year-old Maytinee Sila, said he signalled that he did not want to take part in the water fight because he was on a motorcycle, but one of the men allegedly splashed water directly into his face and struck him with a water gun.
Victim says he was punched
After stopping to confront the group, Kunanya was allegedly punched from behind before several more men joined in the assault.
Images shared by local media showed the victim with visible facial injuries, including a torn lip, reported The Phuket News. He later required hospital treatment.
The incident was reported to Patong Police Station at 5:44pm that same day.
Police arrested 2 French nationals
Police said the two French suspects were arrested on Apr. 14 the following day at around 3:30pm and taken in for questioning.
As of local reports, formal charges had yet to be publicly announced, while officers said investigations were ongoing and further arrests had not been ruled out.
The case comes shortly after another Songkran-related incident in Phuket involving French tourists.
Earlier this week, seven French tourists were arrested in Patong after viral footage showed revellers surrounding a van, spraying water at its driver and ignoring police orders to disperse.
The group was later fined and warned by the police.
Top images via Phuket Times/Facebook
