Thailand: Tourists attack lifeguards on Phuket beach

In Phuket, a simple safety reminder turned violent: tourists violently attacked lifeguards after ignoring the red flag.

On Monday, August 25, on Nai Han Beach in Phuket , a tourist ignored the red flags and attempted to swim.

A Thai lifeguard approached him and warned him of the dangers and the beach closure.

The angry man then called four or five members of his family, who then attacked the lifeguard.

A Thai woman who witnessed the incident said online that one of the foreigners spat at the lifeguard before the attack.

Two lifeguards were seen defending themselves and trying to support each other as other members of the group of strangers joined in the assault.

Witnesses intervened, urging the tourists to stop and leave the area.

The rescuers then said:

“This beach is under strict surveillance.

We have worked hard to keep the number of deaths to zero this year.

This gives us the strength to continue doing our work.”

They urged bathers to respect safety rules, not only for their own protection, but also to encourage lifeguards to continue their work.

Social media scandal

Kuwaiti tourists attack lifeguards (in yellow) on Nai Harn Beach in Phuket on August 25, 2025.

Witnesses filmed the attack and shared the video on the Facebook page Newshawk Phuket .

The page's administrators then tagged several relevant government departments, calling for action against foreign attackers.

Online reactions were swift and critical.

Many users condemned the tourists' behavior, calling it disrespectful and unacceptable, praising the professionalism of the lifeguards and calling for legal action.

Following this, Rawai Mayor Thems Kratadsan called the attackers "low-quality tourists," adding that such incidents were happening too often and vowed to pursue the matter seriously.

Tourists pay 200,000 baht compensation

Chalong Provincial Police Station in Phuket. Photo: Bangkok Post

On Wednesday, August 27, Chalong police confirmed that they had located and questioned the group involved; they were Kuwaiti tourists.

One of them agreed to pay 200,000 baht (5,293 euros) for medical expenses and damages caused to the injured lifeguard.

The attackers were also due to meet with Rawai municipal officials to formally apologize and take responsibility for their actions.

Series of drownings in Phuket despite red flags

The search team discovers the body of a Russian tourist, washed up near where he disappeared in Phuket on August 21, 2025.

This incident comes after a series of tragic drownings in Phuket.

On August 21, a Russian man managed to save his girlfriend from drowning, but was unable to escape the strong waves himself and drowned.

The incident occurred around midnight, outside of lifeguard duty hours.

On the same day, a foreigner drowned off Kata Beach, while another, who was rescued from the water, was seriously injured.

A foreigner who claims to have rescued one of the victims wrote online that no lifeguards were present and that locals and beachgoers had to participate in the rescue.

See: Thailand: Tourist dies saving girlfriend from waves in Phuket

⚠️ Reminder: be careful on Phuket beaches during the rainy season

From May to October, the Andaman Sea is particularly dangerous due to the southwest monsoon.

Phuket's beaches are often swept by strong waves and rip currents, which are responsible for several drownings each year.

The authorities then put up red flags, signaling a strict ban on swimming.

Swimmers who ignore these warnings not only put their lives in danger, but also expose lifeguards to perilous interventions.

See also:

Rape of South African teacher in Phuket: Bolt driver arrested

Cannabis, motorbikes, thefts: Phuket under pressure to save its tourism

Mass tourism in Thailand: Phuket island is overflowing with garbage

Source: Bangkok Post , The Thaiger , The Phuket Express