This is the shocking moment a hot-headed British tourist allegedly punched a taxi driver in a road rage attack in Thailand.

Joseph Millward sparked outrage for reportedly assaulting Thai cabbie Saroj Jakthong, 39, along a busy road on holiday island Phuket.

The Brit drove a black Ford pickup and allegedly cut in front of Saroj's van on April 6. The Thai man honked his horn 'as a warning', prompting Joseph to park and storm out of his truck.

Dashcam footage shows the holidaymaker towering over Saroj as they argued in the middle of the road. The holidaymaker gestured furiously before unleashing a powerful blow that sent Saroj sprawling on the pavement. He then punched another man and sped off from the scene.

Police launched an investigation after Saroj filed a report at the Phuket City Police Station.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Khunthong Chaowalit, Deputy Inspector for Investigation at the Mueang Phuket Police Station, said: 'Preliminary information I can say is that the perpetrator is a British national named Joseph Millward.'

Saroj said the dispute began when he had to merge lanes at a traffic bottleneck on the highway. He claimed Joseph had overtaken him, and he sounded his car horn to warn him.

He said: 'I stepped out to talk politely, telling the foreigner that his driving was dangerous and asking him to be more careful. But he immediately punched me, knocking me down. Fortunately, no other vehicles were passing by at that moment.'

The taxi driver underwent a medical examination to document his injuries and returned to the police station where he found the British man waiting for him.

Joseph reportedly apologised and pressed his hands together asking for forgiveness. However, Saroj said he was determined to press charges.

He said: 'I won't compromise. I will pursue legal action until the end. I didn't think something like this would happen to me. This should not happen to any Thai person at all.'

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.