The holidaymaker, who also held Australian citizenship, was allegedly punched and knocked to the ground before the attackers fled the scene at about 5pm local time.

07:53, Thu, Feb 26, 2026 Updated: 07:55, Thu, Feb 26, 2026

British tourist, 57, beaten to death in attack in Thailand as police search for killer

Alan Roger Jolliffe was killed in a violent attack (Image: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)

A British tourist has been beaten to death in a savage street attack in Thailand as police launch a manhunt for his suspected killer. Alan Roger Jolliffe, 57, from Liverpool, was walking along Prachanukhro Road in Phuket when he became involved in a heated argument with a group of men on Wednesday evening.

The holidaymaker, who also held Australian citizenship, was allegedly punched and knocked to the ground before the attackers fled the scene at about 5pm local time, near the island’s notorious red-light district. Paramedics rushed to the busy stretch — lined with massage parlours, restaurants and cannabis shops close to Bangla Road — and administered first aid at the roadside.

Aerial view drone shot High angle view of phuket city thailand

Phuket in Thailand (Image: Getty)

Mr Jolliffe suffered catastrophic head injuries and was taken to Patong Hospital in a critical condition. He had been due to be transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for specialist treatment, but died later that night.

Police were informed of his death at around 11pm. Photographs taken after the attack show heavy bruising across his chest, shoulders and face. He also had a Liverpool FC crest tattoo on his right shoulder bearing the club’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai, of Patong Police Station, confirmed officers are hunting the suspect, who remains at large.

Lt Col Mekchai said investigators had been sent to scour CCTV footage from nearby buildings in an effort to trace the attacker.

The Lieutenant Colonel added: “We have inspected the scene and coordinated with the Australian embassy to notify the victim’s family.”

Officers said the assault took place on the main road at a junction beside a recently repainted white-and-green apartment block, around a five-minute walk from Bangla Road, the island’s main nightlife strip popular with British and Australian tourists.

Detectives were on Thursday interviewing witnesses and continuing to review security camera footage.

Lt Col Mekchai said: “No arrests have been made. The cause of the argument is still unknown.”

Phuket is one of Asia’s most visited destinations, drawing an estimated 14 million tourists in 2025 — nearly half of all arrivals to Thailand.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the top five visitor markets are Russia, China, India, the UK and Australia.

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But residents have raised concerns that the drive for tourism revenue has brought an influx of troublemakers, with growing fears over street violence and organised criminal gangs operating on the island.

Local officials insist tighter immigration screening and crackdowns on drug-related offences are being introduced amid a surge in illegal activity.