PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 55-year-old German tourist was attacked and robbed by a group of transgender Thai women on Pattaya Beach Road in the early hours, according to police, reigniting debate over safety in the resort city.
Street robbery caught on video
Police from Pattaya City Police said the assault took place opposite Soi Pattaya 13 and was captured by witnesses and in a now viral video. The footage reportedly showed a group surrounding the foreigner, wrestling him to the ground while voices shouted to grab his wallet or other valuables.
Hotel encounter and missing cash
The tourist, identified by police as Markus, 55, a German national, told officers he had earlier invited a transgender woman to his accommodation, believing she was a cisgender woman, to spend time and relax together. After taking a shower and learning that the visitor was transgender, he said he escorted her out of the room, but on returning noticed that 35,000 Baht in cash and 1,200 euros were missing from the room safe.
Search along the beach and escalation
Suspicious about the disappearance of the money, Markus said he suspected the visitor and searched along the beach until he spotted the person he recognised on Pattaya Beach. He told police he tried to detain the woman and bring her to the station to discuss the missing money, but four to five of her transgender acquaintances allegedly intervened, attacked him and injured him.
Attack in public and intervention by bystander
Eyewitnesses reported that the group beat the German and apparently tried to seize his valuables before his wallet fell to the ground. A passer-by, described by police as a helpful civilian, picked up the wallet and returned it to the injured tourist, which reportedly further enraged the attackers before they fled as bystanders intervened and mobile phones continued recording.
Police investigation and evidence collection
At the scene, authorities also found Markus’s mobile phone, which had fallen into a nearby drain and was retrieved from the pipe with assistance from the fire brigade. The German received medical treatment and then filed a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station for theft totalling almost 100,000 Baht and for the later bodily harm, stating he intended to pursue the allegations in full.
Recurring safety concerns on Pattaya Beach
Police stated that incidents involving groups of transgender women targeting tourists on Pattaya Beach and linked to theft, robbery or violence had repeatedly occurred, especially in the late night hours, damaging the city’s image as a safe holiday destination. Despite regular raids and patrols, suspects often fled as soon as officers appeared, only to return shortly afterwards and gather again under the trees along the beach, which officers said suggested only a limited deterrent effect.
Authorities plan charges once suspects found
Following the German tourist’s report, Pattaya police deployed several teams to secure evidence along the affected section of Beach Road, review possible CCTV footage, question witnesses and identify the alleged perpetrators. Authorities told local outlet The Pattaya News they were taking the case very seriously and would prepare charges of bodily harm, attempted robbery and theft once the suspects were in custody.