A minor misunderstanding over a helmet safety rule escalated into a brief blockade at a company site in Phuket, before police intervened and peacefully resolved the issue.
Villagers Block Company Entrance After Safety Dispute
The incident occurred on the morning of October 14, when residents from a local community gathered at the Thai Sarco company site in Wichit, blocking the main entrance with their vehicles.
The confrontation began when a villager attempted to cross the company’s property to go fishing but was stopped by security guards for not wearing a helmet, which is required under the company’s internal safety regulations.
Misunderstanding Leads to Protest
After being denied entry, the villager reportedly returned to his community and mistakenly told others that the company was blocking all public access to the area.
Within minutes, around five villagers arrived at the site and parked their motorbikes and cars across the road, effectively blocking access to the facility.
Thai Sarco site manager Netnapa Sakulsan immediately contacted Wichit Police, who dispatched officers to mediate the situation.
Police Step In to Defuse Tensions
Deputy Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Wutthiwat Liangboonjinda led the police response team to the scene. Officers worked quickly to clarify the misunderstanding between the villagers and the company staff.
“There were no fights or violence, only shouting,” said Lt. Col. Wutthiwat.
“Once both sides understood each other, the villagers lifted the blockade and everything returned to normal.”
Police explained that Thai Sarco was not preventing public access, but simply enforcing its helmet policy for anyone entering the premises as part of its safety procedures.
Peaceful Resolution and No Injuries Reported
Once the villagers realized the misunderstanding, they removed their blockade and operations at the Thai Sarco site resumed immediately. No injuries, property damage, or arrests were reported.
Lt. Col. Wutthiwat praised both parties for their calm cooperation and urged the public to seek clarification before reacting to potential misunderstandings.
“It’s always better to talk first. This incident could have escalated, but fortunately, it didn’t,” he added.
Authorities Encourage Dialogue to Prevent Future Disputes
Local officials emphasized the importance of communication and community understanding, noting that small disputes can easily spiral without proper information. The peaceful resolution was hailed as an example of effective police mediation in Phuket’s community relations.
