Two Knife Attacks Rock Phuket in the Early Hours — Victims Recovering as Police Investigate
Phuket was jolted awake in the predawn hours of December 14 when two separate knife attacks unfolded just minutes apart, leaving a young man and a woman injured and authorities scrambling for answers. The incidents — one at Patong’s Coral Beach Bridge and the other inside a Tops Supermarket in Phuket Town — happened within roughly 90 minutes of each other, painting an alarming picture of violence in one of Thailand’s busiest tourist hubs.
Selene of the Sea: A Quiet Night Interrupted at Coral Beach Bridge
Around 3:00am at the southern end of Thaweewong Road, near Coral Beach Bridge, what had been a late-night gathering by the shoreline turned into an urgent hospital trip. Patong Hospital staff alerted Patong Police at 4:02am after 21-year-old Myanmar national Maung Maung Aye arrived with a stab wound to his rib cage.
According to reports, Maung Maung Aye had been sitting by the sea with a group of roughly 10 friends when another cluster of teenagers on motorcycles rolled up. In a flurry that witnesses described as sudden and chaotic, one of the group allegedly stabbed him in the ribs and then fled on two wheels.
Fortunately, Maung Maung Aye was conscious and able to give authorities a statement. Police said no property was taken or damaged during the attack, and investigators have been combing through nearby CCTV footage along likely escape routes to identify the assailant. As of the latest updates, the suspect’s identity remains unknown.
Tops Supermarket Attack: A Violent Outburst in Phuket Town
Less than an hour and a half later, at about 4:10am, another stabbing was reported — this time inside a Tops Supermarket on Mae Luan Road in Phuket Town. The victim, 26-year-old woman named Waranya, was stabbed multiple times in the back and neck. She was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital for emergency treatment.
Phuket City Police responded quickly and arrested a 36-year-old man at the scene. Authorities identified him as Choktawee, said to be Waranya’s boyfriend. Police described the attack as a violent outburst and reported that the suspect suffers from a mental illness. Bystanders reportedly intervened, helping to restrain the man and alert law enforcement. Officers confiscated the knife used in the attack and detained Choktawee at the scene.
Police Appeal for Witnesses; CCTV Under Review
Both Patong Police and Phuket City Police confirmed they are investigating the two incidents. Detectives are reviewing CCTV recordings and piecing together witness statements to establish timelines, motives, and whether the events were connected.
Authorities have not suggested any link between the Patong shoreline stabbing and the supermarket attack, but the close timing has raised concern among residents and visitors alike. Police are urging anyone with information — especially motorists or locals near Coral Beach Bridge, Thaweewong Road, or Mae Luan Road during the early hours — to come forward.
Another Attack Reported in Choeng Talay
In a separate incident elsewhere on the island, reports indicate a large foreign man is on the run after allegedly stabbing a British national outside a nightclub in the Choeng Talay area. Details remain sparse, and police are reportedly investigating that episode as well.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
For an island famous for its turquoise waters, vibrant nightlife and hospitality, the spate of early-morning attacks has left a sour note. Locals have voiced concern about safety during late-night hours, and businesses in night-time districts are watching developments closely. Bystanders who stepped in during the supermarket attack were praised publicly by police for their quick action — a reminder of how local courage and swift reporting can make a crucial difference.
Police officials are maintaining a visible presence in affected areas while investigations continue. They emphasize that both the Patong and Phuket Town incidents remain under active inquiry and promise updates as new information emerges.
How You Can Help
If you were near Coral Beach Bridge, Thaweewong Road, Mae Luan Road, Tops Supermarket, or the Choeng Talay nightclub area during the early hours of December 14 and have dashcam footage, CCTV, or any relevant information, please contact Patong Police or Phuket City Police. Even small details — the direction a motorcycle took, a partial plate number, or a clothing description — might prove critical to bringing suspects to justice and restoring calm to Phuket’s streets.
As investigators work, the island community is reminding one another to stay alert, travel in groups where possible, and report suspicious behavior immediately. Phuket’s nightlife will undoubtedly continue to shine, but for now the message from residents, business owners and police is clear: vigilance matters.
This is getting out of hand — two stabbings within hours in tourist areas should make everyone rethink late-night drinking and walking alone. Phuket has always been safe for tourists but maybe complacency set in. Authorities need visible patrols and curfews around known trouble spots.
Visible patrols help, but community relations matter more; if police are strangers to nightlife workers they miss tips. Start by building trust with bar staff and tuk-tuk drivers who see trouble first.
Exactly — outreach, not just sirens. And better lighting near beaches; many spots are patchy and invite trouble.
People always blame tourism but the root is youth gang culture and social media dares. Until families and schools act, more midnight violence will continue.
My friend says kids show off online and do stupid things at night, true.
Blaming schools alone is easy; economic stress, drug access, and broken homes all feed into nocturnal violence.
We must differentiate incidents motivated by interpersonal conflict from those driven by untreated mental illness, as seems the case in the supermarket attack. Policy responses should include crisis intervention teams and mandatory reporting pathways for families who observe deterioration.
Agreed, but mental health resources are sparse here — are we really going to build hospitals overnight? Prevention is more complex than just care access.
Labeling the suspect by his illness risks stigma; we need balanced reporting that explains the nuance without excusing violence.
Stigma is a real concern; my point is structural — train police to de-escalate and route suspects to health services where appropriate.
I feel scared to walk home late now. Phuket was my safe place and this makes me sad.
Your fear is valid — local businesses should offer safe rides and more group options for late-night workers and patrons.
Yes, if bars or hotels help more people it could stop some of this.
CCTV footage could solve the Patong case quickly if networks cooperate, but many cameras are privately owned and footage gets overwritten. Authorities should issue fast preservation orders.
Police often ask for footage after it’s gone; why not mandate 72-hour buffer storage for cameras in key zones? It’s a simple regulatory fix.
Mandates cost money and the camera owners will resist. Who pays for the storage? The tourists?
Public-private cost-sharing could work; small subsidies for storage would be cheaper than prolonged investigations.
Back in my day police would have had suspects picked up fast; now there is too much bureaucracy and press chasing drama. We need swift justice to restore confidence.
Swift justice sometimes means wrongful arrests. I prefer careful police work over headline-driven speed.
Fair point, but when residents fear going out you can’t take months to reassure them; balance is key.
This reeks of political distraction — a few violent incidents and suddenly cameras and patrols are promised right before tourist season. Watch them stop when the headlines fade.
Cynical, but not impossible. Still, conspiracy talk doesn’t help the victims who need immediate support.
Support is fine, but demand long-term safety planning, not momentary PR sweeps.
Long-term plans are expensive and need political will; maybe this crisis can finally produce that will.
I’m worried about migrant workers — the first victim was Myanmar national Maung Maung Aye and migrants often face barriers accessing protection. We must ensure language services and legal aid.
Absolutely — equitable access to services reduces vulnerability and improves cooperation with investigations, benefiting community safety.
Exactly, and outreach workers should be funded to bridge trust between migrants and police.
Violence happens everywhere; maybe people expect paradise but ignore local realities. Tourists should stop acting surprised and take basic precautions.
Bystanders who restrained the supermarket attacker deserve praise, but we shouldn’t romanticize vigilantism. Training by nightlife staff in safe restraint and first aid would be smart.
Good idea — certified training programs for bar staff and security could reduce injuries and legal liability for helpers.
Also clear signage about emergency numbers and where to find help would reduce delays in reporting.
Choeng Talay incident with a foreign suspect sparks xenophobia risks; let’s not demonize all foreigners because of one attacker. Context matters.
True, but the community also needs transparency — if a foreign national is involved authorities must communicate facts to avoid rumors.
Transparency and care — both are necessary to prevent scapegoating.