PHUKET, THAILAND – A Thai transgender woman went public after she said a Polish man attacked her and stole her handbag following a paid meeting, the victim reported on social media. It was the second reported assault on a trans woman in Phuket within 24 hours.
Assault after paid service
On 15 October the woman contacted the Facebook page Phuket Time to describe the incident. She said the man had booked and paid for a service in advance, but after the meeting he demanded his money back. The dispute allegedly escalated: the man struck the woman, knocked her to the ground and ripped away her handbag before fleeing. The victim shared photographs of her injuries and of the alleged attacker to draw public attention to the case.
Second incident in 24 hours
The reported attack followed a similar incident on 14 October, when another Thai transgender woman said an Indian customer assaulted her and stole 10,000 baht (about €250) before fleeing. That first victim said she pursued the attacker despite her injuries, adding, “I was afraid he might come back and hurt me more.” Both suspects were reported to still be at large.
Calls for protection
Sex workers in Phuket said they were living in fear of bogus clients who pose as customers only to rob or attack them. “The province is full of criminals, not tourists,” the most recent victim told reporters, and she criticised local authorities, saying, “Police and administration seem unable to protect residents.” Many of the women work around Bangla Road, an area known for its nightlife as well as recurring crime, and they are calling for stronger protection and more consistent law enforcement.
Police silence and tourism concerns
Phuket police had not issued an official statement about either incident, and it remained unclear whether formal investigations had been launched or whether authorities were actively searching for the suspects. The assaults have prompted concern over the safety of vulnerable workers on Thailand’s most popular holiday island and renewed demands for authorities to take decisive action.