Viral Assault in Patong: French Restaurant Owners Arrested for Attack on Burmese Worker

In a shocking turn of events that disrupted the normally vibrant vibes of Patong, Phuket, two French restaurant owners found themselves on the wrong side of the law after indulging in a brazen display of public brutality. Captured by the keen lens of passersby and thrust into the digital spotlight by the Facebook page Phuket Times, the event unspooled like a drama, one that no town wants scripted within its borders.

The video, which went viral on January 14, gave viewers a ringside seat to the disturbing incident. It all unfolded on the bustling streets of Patong, where the usual sights and sounds of tourists enjoying their tropical retreats were momentarily eclipsed by violence. The grim sequence started with a Frenchman, later identified as Said Idjihadi, darting down the footpath like a character straight out of an action movie. His target? A hapless Burmese man, Aye Min, who could hardly match his pursuer’s aggressiveness. Despite his attempts at flight, Aye Min was swiftly overtaken, shoved to the ground without mercy.

As if the situation weren’t dire enough, another Frenchman, Sofiane Redouane Hadji, who wore a black shirt that day, joined the melee. His contribution to this crude chorale? A precisely aimed kick, which sent Aye Min sprawling, unable to fend off their relentless assault. It wasn’t until nearby Thai and foreign witnesses stepped in that the senseless violence ceased, leaving Aye Min lying still, forlornly awaiting help.

The perpetrators, not dodging the long arm of justice for long, were apprehended by the local law enforcement at their eatery, near the sun-kissed stretches of Patong Beach. The clock struck 7 PM, with Phuket’s characteristic warmth fading, as Idjihadi and Hadji confessed once faced with the undeniable evidence that had already flooded social media.

In his recount, the beleaguered Aye Min offered a riveting backstory. He and his fellow workers were poring over the transformation of the restaurant’s second floor. However, fate—or rather tardiness—set off this chain of unfortunate events. Arriving late, understandably distressing to their employer, Aye Min disclosed how Idjihadi’s ire turned physical, a notion that understandably put his safety conscious to the test.

The tale took a turn upstairs, literally and figuratively. Idjihadi’s fury hadn’t subsided, and as complaints fired over their lateness, Aye Min opted for retreat. He left, perhaps longing for serenity outside the restaurant’s confines, oblivious to the fact that Idjihadi had vengeance on his mind. A hot pursuit ensued, culminating in the public beatdown that Phuket will remember for years to come.

Although the legal ramifications for Idjihadi and Hadji remain undisclosed as of this moment, they stand precariously on the brink of Thailand’s stringent laws against assault. Under Section 295, they risk facing up to two years behind bars or a hefty fine or perhaps both—punishments that might seem mild in light of the vicious act committed under the swaths of Phuket’s azure sky.

This incident echoes across news platforms like a foreboding bell, amid a symphony of other noteworthy headlines from Thailand. Regions nearby weave stories of high-speed police chases, tragic losses, and surreal legal dilemmas. But what remains vivid is the lesson that violence, surviving a day in the sun under the vibrant Phuket canopy, is never welcome, its interruptions as jarring as a monsoon storm breaking an otherwise perfect day.