Phuket tourists arrested after soaking police at Songkran command post
Patong police have arrested a group of foreign tourists after video footage showed them directing high-pressure water guns at officers on duty during the Songkran festival in Patong, Phuket, on April 13. The incident…
A group of foreign tourists was arrested in Patong, Phuket, after video footage showed them using high-pressure water guns to soak police officers at a Songkran command post on April 13. The incident took place at a police tent set up for the Patong Songkran Beach Festival 2026, where officers were on duty managing festival activities.
Social Media Footage and Police Response
Three separate video clips circulated on platforms including Newshawk Phuket, showing dozens of tourists targeting the command tent with water guns. One clip, filmed from inside a vehicle, captured the scene from a different angle, while another showed police pursuing and detaining the suspects.
Patong police confirmed the tourists were taken to the local station for legal proceedings. Officers stated the actions exceeded the accepted spirit of Songkran water play and posed a risk of injury to those on duty.
Songkran Festival Safety Concerns
The Patong incident was among several law enforcement challenges during this year’s Songkran period. Thailand’s Department of Probation reported 3,726 drunk driving cases between April 10 and April 15, out of 3,961 total Songkran-related probation cases nationwide.
During the same period, Thai PBS recorded 951 road accidents resulting in 191 deaths and 911 injuries, with speeding and drunk driving as primary causes. Chiang Mai led the country with 651 drunk driving cases, followed by Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi.
Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/songkran-phuket-tourists-arrested-for-targetting-cops
