UPDATE: Police identify Kuwaiti tourist after alleged spray attack on Patong pharmacist

Patong police have reportedly identified a Kuwaiti tourist accused of spraying a pharmacist at Mookda Pharmacy and seized two spray bottles for testing. The pharmacist later dropped the matter after a mediation attempt failed, according to an update by The Phuket Express.

Pijet Intarakaset, whom The Thaiger identified as a Thai pharmacist, runs Mookda Pharmacy in Patong, Phuket. Reports by The Phuket Express and The Thaiger said the incident happened at about 12:22 a.m. on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. The pharmacist described the man as appearing Middle Eastern. He said the man entered while appearing to seek medicine and asked for directions to Patong Police Station before briefly leaving.

The man returned after taking a cloth bag from under a motorcycle seat, removed a perfume-like spray bottle and sprayed the pharmacist continuously for about 20 seconds, leaving his clothes and body soaked.

The pharmacist reported a rapid heartbeat, chest tightness and dizziness after the spray. The Phuket Express update also reported slurred speech, loss of balance and near collapse. He said he forced the man out and called Patong Hospital for emergency assistance. Paramedics recorded his blood pressure at 160/100 mmHg and administered intravenous fluids. The Thaiger reported that he filed a complaint with Patong Police Station after his condition improved.

Earlier reports said police were using CCTV footage from the pharmacy and motorcycle registration information to identify and locate the suspect. The Phuket Express later reported that Patong police had tracked him down and identified him as a Kuwaiti tourist. Investigators seized two spray bottles and sent them for forensic or scientific analysis, but the report did not establish their contents.

The Thaiger reported that the spray was allegedly used in an attempted robbery, but the alleged motive remains unconfirmed. Authorities have not confirmed what substance was used or whether it caused the reported symptoms. The Thaiger referred to it as a chemical spray, but that description does not establish its composition. The pharmacist and his valuables were reported to be safe.

Police arranged a mediation session between the pharmacist and the suspect. The suspect did not attend, sending an Arab friend in his place, and reportedly claimed to have mental-health problems while showing a plane ticket indicating plans to return to Kuwait. The report said the pharmacist described the suspect’s behaviour as threatening and incoherent, resembling intoxication or chemical influence rather than psychiatric illness. No agreement was reached, and the pharmacist ultimately chose to drop the matter to prevent escalation.

The Phuket Express reported that authorities said the Kuwaiti man had a history of similar incidents, but no count or details of separate cases were provided. Police planned to notify the Kuwaiti Embassy about the tourist’s conduct.

The pharmacist also said hospital staff told him that another pharmacist in Patong had recently experienced similar symptoms. He shared his account online, including CCTV screenshots, to warn businesses operating late at night and urged local safety agencies to strengthen security in Patong’s nightlife district.