Phuket boxing coach says Thais love peace, but never cowards' after clash with foreigner

A foreign man, believed to be a British national, suffered a sword attack in a road rage altercation with a Phuket boxing trainer. The incident began when the foreign riders were blocking traffic lanes, prompting Waikoon to warn them about road safety. Waikoon alleged that one of the foreigners later arrived at his residence carrying an iron bar, which led to the confrontation. The foreign man sustained an injury to his arm and was later seen walking away. Treatment costs in Thailand were high and included more than 13,000 baht for wound care. The foreign man had returned to his home country for medical treatment. The incident highlights the importance of road safety and the potential for conflicts between locals and foreigners in Phuket. Waikoon, a 50-year-old boxing coach and instructor of krabi-krabong, was identified as the trainer. The incident occurred in Chalong subdistrict, Phuket. Waikoon claimed he encountered two foreign motorcyclists traveling slowly while riding side by side and talking to each other. He said an argument followed before he left the scene and returned home. Waikoon told the media he believed the dispute had ended. However, he alleged that one of the foreigners later arrived at his residence carrying an iron bar. The trainer said he was concerned for the safety of his family and attempted to move the confrontation away from his home. The subsequent events were captured on video. Waikoon said he later reported the incident to police and was prepared to face legal proceedings relating to the injury sustained by the foreign man. He added that no complaint had been filed against him at the time of the interview. The trainer told the media that he regretted the incident resulting in injury, but maintained that he had acted in response to the situation he was facing. He emphasized that his actions reflected the words of the Thai national anthem, which state that Thais love peace, but are never cowards in war. Channel 8 later reported that a friend of the injured foreigner said the man had returned to his home country for medical treatment. According to the friend, treatment costs in Thailand were high and included more than 13,000 baht for wound care. The friend also told the media that legal action would be taken against the Thai trainer, stating that the trainer’s actions went beyond self-defense. He said the case would be reported to the British Embassy and that further updates would be provided as the matter progresses.

What happened

A foreign man, believed to be a British national, suffered a sword attack in a road rage altercation with a Phuket boxing trainer. The incident began when the foreign riders were blocking traffic lanes, prompting Waikoon to warn them about road safety. Waikoon alleged that one of the foreigners later arrived at his residence carrying an iron bar, which led to the confrontation. The foreign man sustained an injury to his arm and was later seen walking away. Treatment costs in Thailand were high and included more than 13,000 baht for wound care. The foreign man had returned to his home country for medical treatment. The incident highlights the importance of road safety and the potential for conflicts between locals and foreigners in Phuket. Waikoon, a 50-year-old boxing coach and instructor of krabi-krabong, was identified as the trainer. The incident occurred in Chalong subdistrict, Phuket. Waikoon claimed he encountered two foreign motorcyclists traveling slowly while riding side by side and talking to each other. He said an argument followed before he left the scene and returned home. Waikoon told the media he believed the dispute had ended. However, he alleged that one of the foreigners later arrived at his residence carrying an iron bar. The trainer said he was concerned for the safety of his family and attempted to move the confrontation away from his home. The subsequent events were captured on video. Waikoon said he later reported the incident to police and was prepared to face legal proceedings relating to the injury sustained by the foreign man. He added that no complaint had been filed against him at the time of the interview. The trainer told the media that he regretted the incident resulting in injury, but maintained that he had acted in response to the situation he was facing. He emphasized that his actions reflected the words of the Thai national anthem, which state that Thais love peace, but are never cowards in war. Channel 8 later reported that a friend of the injured foreigner said the man had returned to his home country for medical treatment. According to the friend, treatment costs in Thailand were high and included more than 13,000 baht for wound care. The friend also told the media that legal action would be taken against the Thai trainer, stating that the trainer’s actions went beyond self-defense. He said the case would be reported to the British Embassy and that further updates would be provided as the matter progresses.

Background and context

The development matters for buyers comparing Phuket districts, rental demand, and exit liquidity against Thailand’s broader 2026 market backdrop.

Why it matters for Phuket buyers

For Phuket property buyers, headlines like this shape foreign demand, short-stay rental flow, and how quickly investors move from research to a viewing or offer.

Source: The Thaiger

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