British tourist on holiday island ‘killed with single karate chop after road rage row’ | World | News

A British tourist has died after allegedly being hit with a single karate chop in Thailand. Alan Roger Jolliffe was riding a moped along a busy road in holiday paradise Phuket when he became embroiled in a row with a fellow scooter rider on Wednesday afternoon.

It is claimed that one of them cut in front of the other, which led to an angry confrontation on the streets. The men reportedly pulled over and squared up in an alleyway along the bustling Prachanukhro Road. CCTV footage seems to show Alan, 57, from Liverpool, backing away as the suspect brushes aside his Thai girlfriend.

The shaven-headed man then appears to smash Alan across the head with a powerful blow using the underside of his hand — in a reported martial arts-style chop.

Alan was instantly knocked out by the brutal strike, his head whipping to the side and his sunglasses flying as he collapsed unconscious on the street, the Daily Star reported.

The alleged assault left Liverpool fan Alan, who also held Australian nationality, with severe head injuries.

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He was rushed to Patong Hospital in a critical condition at around 5pm local time as emergency services battled to save his life.

Alan was due to be transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment, but he died later the same evening.

Police were informed of Alan’s death at 11pm and launched a large-scale manhunt to find the suspected attacker.

Cops arrested Swedish man Pektas Tuguy Tayyar, 29, at the Utopia hotel in the Kathu District on Thursday.

It is reported that he allegedly confessed to the attack and was charged with “assault resulting in death”.

Police Colonel Korakrit Khankruea, superintendent of Patong district station, said: “At around 5pm, a witness reported that a foreign man had been assaulted at Malin Plaza market.

“He was struck once, causing his head to hit the ground, before an ambulance took him to the hospital.

“At around 11pm, Patong Hospital informed police that the man had died. Injuries were found on his head, likely caused by the heavy impact as he hit the ground.

“Investigators examined the scene, reviewed security camera footage and questioned witnesses. They identified the suspect as a foreign man riding a black Honda X-ADV 750 motorcycle.

“The incident occurred when both men were riding motorcycles and honked their horns at each other.

“The suspect became angry, dismounted and argued before hitting the victim once in the face with the bottom of his hand.

“Officers arrested him at a hotel at around 4 am the following day and charged him with assault causing death.

“The suspect admitted to hitting the victim. He was taken to court for detention in the morning and bail was denied.

“The case file has been compiled and forwarded to the inquiry officer for further legal proceedings.”

The alleged attack happened around five minutes away from the Bangla Road, which is the main party strip on the island, popular with Brits and Aussies.

Phuket has become one of Asia’s most popular destinations, with an estimated 14 million visitors in 2025 – almost half of the total number visiting the country.