A group of foreign tourists who assaulted a lifeguard at Nai Harn Beach in Phuket have agreed to pay 200,000 baht in compensation after footage of the attack spread widely online.
The incident occurred on Monday evening when the lifeguard advised the visitors not to swim due to strong waves and red flags warning that the sea was unsafe. The beach was also nearing closing time, when lifeguards would no longer be on duty.
Instead of complying, the group shouted at him, spat in his direction, and then physically assaulted him. The lifeguard sustained injuries despite trying to protect himself.
Video of the attack quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation from the public and prompting swift action from local authorities.
Rawai Mayor Thems Kratadsan condemned the group as “low-quality tourists,” stressing that such incidents were damaging to the community and pledging that officials would handle the matter seriously.
Police in Chalong confirmed on Wednesday that the individuals involved were tourists from Kuwait. Following questioning, one member of the group agreed to pay 200,000 baht to cover medical treatment and damages for the injured lifeguard.
The tourists were also scheduled to meet municipal officials in Rawai, where they delivered a formal apology and accepted responsibility for their behaviour.
Some social media users criticised the settlement, saying police should pursue legal action against the tourists, including measures such as blacklisting or banning them from returning to Thailand.
They warned that relying solely on financial compensation could set a precedent for foreigners to buy their way out of responsibility.
Others argued that the lifeguards were justified in accepting the payment, noting that legal proceedings often stall once offenders leave the country.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page Newshawk Phuket stressed that the incident remains a criminal matter that cannot be resolved through compensation alone. Police have also confirmed that legal action will proceed against the attackers, with further details expected in the coming days.
