This is the chaotic moment tourists fought in front of bars along the red-light strip of a notorious holiday island in Thailand.

Footage shows a small backpacker squaring up against two towering men, only to be knocked down with a single blow in the Soi Bangla area of Phuket, in the early hours of March 18.

He stood back up but was sent sprawling on the ground with one punch as locals egged them on.

The once-pristine island of Phuket has been marred by over-tourism as the Thai government implements a visa-free scheme to boost revenue following the barren pandemic years.

The island saw 800,000 foreign visitors last year alone.

However, angry locals claim the push for tourist dollars has attracted crowds of 'low-quality' visitors from Russia, India and Australia. There are also fears that the island has become an enclave of criminal activity, with police unable to control street fights and more organised ruffians setting up rackets among local businesses.

Phuket officials said they are implementing tighter immigration controls and screening processes amid a wave of drug-related crimes and illegal activities on the island.