WHEN TWO Russian tourists took an immediate disliking for each other on Phuket, the outcome was costly for one of them.

The confrontation came early on Monday morning, soon after midnight, as both tourists left a nightspot in the western beach town of Karon with their girlfriends.

According to officers in Chalong, the nearest police station, the two men took an instant disliking to each other. They expressed displeasure at each other in the street.

One of them, driving a rented Honda Jazz, pulled a knife, went over to the other man's motorcycle, and plunged the knife into the tyre.

With that, he drove off. Unbeknown to the Russian knife man, said Chalong police colonel Anukul Nuket, witnesses had seen the action.

One of those who saw what happened was a volunteer member of the Phuket governor's '1000 eyes of the pineapple' group, who keep a watch on Karon's security and support the police.

He used his radio transmitter to alert police, who were able to track the vehicle, Colonel Anukul said.

As the Honda Jazz travelled along Patak Road towards Chalong Circle, police pulled over the vehicle.

Police impounded the car and told the driver to be at Chalong police station at 10.30am on Monday.

When the Russian turned up, he was made to sit down and undergo a mediation session with the other Russian.

It turned out to be a 15,000 baht puncture, both men eventually agreeing that was a fair deal for the previous evening's falling-out.

Colonel Anukul named the Russian who received the money as Dmitry Gurianov, 36, holidaying on Phuket with Nataie Selivthtova, 28.

Because the other man was in the wrong but the mediation process had concluded to everyone's agreement without a charge having to be laid, Colonel Anukul declined to name the other Russian.

Mediation is being used more frequently by police to settle disputes involving tourists. In the past, minor infringements have often led to visitors being unable to leave Phuket for days or even weeks, inflicting additional unwarranted punishment.