PHUKET, Aug 28: A group of foreign tourists have agreed to pay 200,000 baht in compensation after a shocking assault on a lifeguard at Phuket’s Nai Harn Beach was caught on camera and widely shared on social media.

The incident occurred on Monday evening when the lifeguard warned the tourists not to enter the sea due to dangerously strong waves and red flags indicating the beach was closed for swimming. Eyewitnesses said the tourists ignored the warnings, grew aggressive, shouted at the lifeguard, spat on him, and ultimately physically attacked him. The lifeguard sustained injuries despite trying to defend himself.

Footage of the violent encounter quickly went viral, sparking outrage from netizens and prompting condemnation from local authorities.

Rawai Mayor Thems Kratadsan described the attackers as “low-quality tourists,” lamenting that such incidents were becoming all too common, and vowed that the matter would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

Chalong provincial police station

By Wednesday, police in Chalong had questioned the tourists, who were identified as visitors from Kuwait. One member of the group agreed to cover 200,000 baht in medical expenses and damages for the injured lifeguard. The tourists are also scheduled to meet Rawai municipal officials to issue a formal apology and acknowledge responsibility for their actions.