PATTAYA, THAILAND – A foreign man who allegedly filmed transgender women in secret in Pattaya and exposed them online triggered a scandal and demands for police action.
Secret recordings in Pattaya red-light areas
A foreigner using the online name “Yaribal” was reported to have operated in red-light districts, particularly in Pattaya. He repeatedly asked transgender women a pointed question:
“Are you a woman or a ladyboy?”
said the report. According to the account, he recorded everything covertly with hidden cameras in smart glasses.
The women involved were initially unaware they were being filmed. Only when the videos surfaced on the internet did they realise what had happened, and many were reportedly shocked.
Viral videos fuel outrage and abuse
The clips spread rapidly across social media platforms, where comments were filled with hate and sexism.
“Imagine living in a world where you doubt whether you’re dating a girl or a boy,”
said one user. Another commented cynically:
“Is there a quick HIV test beforehand? I would pay extra.”
said another user.
The women featured in the videos were described as deeply humiliated. The online accounts associated with the material included an Instagram handle linked to @yarigrech.
Trans women prepare legal action
A group of transgender women now planned to take the foreigner to court. They were considering filing a complaint for violating Thailand’s PDPA data protection law. Some victims were said to have already contacted the man and asked him to delete the videos.
Their requests were reportedly ignored.
“His actions violate Thai law,”
said an unnamed lawyer, adding that the evidence appeared clear.
Alleged explicit content on Telegram
The man was also alleged to run a Telegram account. There, he reportedly posted explicit videos of himself after paid sex.
Some victims suspected he might be of Russian origin, but his true identity had not been confirmed. Police had not publicly commented on the case, and any investigation was believed to be ongoing in the background.
Pattern of secret filming in Thailand
The case was portrayed as part of a wider problem rather than an isolated incident. Foreigners were repeatedly reported to be secretly filming sex workers.
They posed as customers, negotiated prices and later uploaded the recordings without the women’s consent. Observers warned that Thailand might have to address this issue more forcefully, as its reputation as a tolerant travel destination could suffer.
Calls for urgent removal and accountability
The affected transgender women demanded immediate action. They insisted that the videos must be removed from all platforms.
They also called for the perpetrator to be identified and held accountable, arguing that the PDPA offered a solid legal basis. Thai authorities were said to be under pressure to protect the rights of all citizens and visitors equally, especially LGBTQ+ people in the digital sphere.