2nd January 2025 – (Phuket) Authorities from Phuket’s Saku Police Station have addressed a viral video depicting taxi drivers restraining a foreign tourist near Phuket Airport, clarifying that the incident was linked to the tourist’s mental health issues.
The altercation occurred on 23rd December, 2024, when taxi drivers intervened to detain a Hong Kong tourist, identified as 36-year-old Keith, who was exhibiting aggressive behaviour and disturbing the peace in the vicinity. Keith had arrived in Phuket on 17th December, 2024, on a tourist visa.
Prior to this incident, on 22nd December, Keith had reached out to Saku Police Station and the Tourist Police at Phuket Airport, reporting a lost passport and revealing that he was on medication for a psychiatric condition. In response, authorities coordinated with the consulate to assist him with passport replacement, arranging temporary accommodation at the Louis’ Runway View Hotel while he awaited his travel documents.
However, on 23rd December, Keith left his hotel and began acting erratically, leading to confrontations with local taxi drivers. In response to the escalating situation, the drivers restrained him and contacted the police. Upon arrival at Saku Police Station, Keith continued to display signs of agitation, prompting law enforcement to transfer him to Thalang Hospital for medical treatment.
