Phuket –
A foreign tourist was seriously injured this week after a street-side dispute over an unpaid fruit bill escalated into violence. The incident occurred on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, in front of a medical clinic, a busy area known for its nightlife and street vendors.
The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that they and emergency responders arrived to find a foreign man suffering from a deep abdominal wound. He was later identified only as Mr. Orxan, 34, a tourist from Azerbaijan. Rescue personnel from the Kusoldharm Foundation rushed him to Patong Hospital for emergency treatment, reporting that his intestines had been exposed due to the severity of the injury.
The alleged attacker, a 25-year-old fruit vendor known as Mr. Pan, was found calmly waiting at the scene and immediately surrendered to police. According to his statement, he and his girlfriend operate a fruit cart near the clinic. Mr. Orkhan had reportedly eaten fruit worth 60 baht (approximately $1.65 USD) but refused to pay, sparking a verbal confrontation.
In the heat of the moment, Mr. Pan admitted to stabbing the tourist with a knife he kept at his cart. The weapon was recovered at the scene.
The case is being handled by Patong Police Station. Mr. Pan has been taken into custody and faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
