Karon, Phuket – March 18, 2025
A wild scene unfolded at a hotel in Phuket’s Karon subdistrict on Monday evening when a 44-year-old Iranian man, identified as Reza Bahman Farshi, allegedly went on a rampage, chasing hotel staff with a syringe. The incident, which occurred on March 17, 2025, resulted in the man being subdued with a taser after nearly an hour of resistance.
According to reports from the Karon Police Station, officers were alerted to the disturbance at 6:11 PM by a terrified hotel staff member. The suspect, armed with a syringe in his left hand, was captured on video pacing back and forth on his hotel room balcony, intermittently splashing an unidentified liquid from the syringe while recording the unfolding events with his phone in his right hand. Witnesses reported that prior to the police arrival, Farshi had pursued hotel workers, attempting to stab them with the syringe, causing widespread panic among staff and guests. Fortunately, no one was injured during the ordeal.
Police arrived promptly to assess the situation and attempted to negotiate with Farshi, who remained uncooperative despite their efforts. After nearly an hour of failed dialogue, reinforcements were called in, and officers made the decision to deploy a taser. A single shot brought the man under control, ending the tense standoff. Farshi sustained minor injuries during the incident and was subsequently transported to Karon Police Station for further investigation.
Authorities are now working to determine the motive behind Farshi’s erratic behavior. Preliminary investigations suggest that drug use may have played a role, and police are conducting tests to confirm whether substances were involved. The Iranian Embassy has been notified to assist with the case and ensure appropriate follow-up actions.
Under Thai law, Farshi could face charges under Section 397 of the Criminal Code for bullying, threatening, or causing embarrassment or annoyance to others, which carries a penalty of up to 5,000 baht. Additional charges may be pursued if drug tests return positive results, potentially escalating the legal consequences.
