Phuket City Police arrived at the scene, near the Phuket Immigration Office, at around 10:30am after receiving reports of a vehicle collision involving a weapon and property damage.
Officers found a Toyota Hilux Revo pickup, registered in Bangkok, belonging to the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, with its right front side damaged and deep slash marks on the driver’s rear window and bonnet. Nearby was a red Hi-Jet tuk-tuk, registered in Phuket, which had sustained damage to its passenger-side door.
Police identified the driver of the Hilux as Phudit Wattanawet, 45, an official with the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He told police he was driving along Thepsrisin Rd when the tuk-tuk struck his vehicle at the red light.
When he got out to inspect the damage, the other driver ‒ later identified as Sukit Sumetthakul, 74, of Ratsada ‒ emerged from his tuk-tuk wielding a scythe about 50cm long and began slashing his vehicle repeatedly.
Fearing for his safety, Mr Phudit retreated from the scene as the elderly man continued shouting and damaging the car in full view of motorists.
Responding officers quickly intervened, disarmed Sukit and seized the weapon. Both men were then escorted to Phuket City Police Station for questioning.
Police Lt Col Yutthaphon Phromdao, the investigating officer, confirmed that the machete had been taken into evidence and that Sukit faces charges for property damage and threatening behaviour.
The vehicles were impounded for inspection, and further investigation is under way to determine the cause of the collision.
Phuket City Police Chief Pol Lt Col Chatree Chukaew said officers had reported the case to senior commanders and that legal proceedings would follow in accordance with the evidence.