Pattaya, Thailand – A brutal robbery unfolded on October 15 when three Thai transgender women allegedly attacked two Indian tourists inside a Pattaya hotel and fled with roughly 24,000 baht in cash, police said.
Dispute over payment escalated
The incident began when one of the tourists met a transgender woman on Pattaya beach and agreed to a service for 500 baht. According to the victims’ account, the woman demanded more money once they reached the hotel room. When the tourist refused, she called two accomplices to the scene.
The trio then assaulted the two men, damaged hotel property and took the tourists’ funds: 15,000 baht in cash and 25,000 Indian rupees, which investigators say converts to about 9,000 baht. The combined loss was estimated at about 24,000 baht.
Security guard attacked
A hotel security guard who heard the disturbance rushed to intervene but was confronted by the attackers, who shouted, ‘You are not the hotel owner, don’t interfere!’ The women chased the guard into the lobby and struck him with an iron bar. During the chaos the attackers allegedly pulled at a gold chain from the guard’s neck, a piece of jewelry the report valued at about 60,000 baht; it was unclear whether the chain was taken. The injured guard required medical treatment.
Police investigate CCTV
Meuang Pattaya police opened an investigation and were analysing hotel and nearby CCTV footage to identify and locate the suspects. Officers said they were working intensively to find the three women, who remain at large.
Pattern of similar incidents
Authorities noted this case echoes earlier reports involving transgender individuals and foreign visitors. The report cited two prior incidents: in May an Indian man in Pattaya was reportedly struck with a handbag and robbed, and in February a transgender person in Songkhla allegedly demanded payment from an Indian tourist and stole his jewellery.
Impact on Pattaya tourism and safety advice
Local officials face growing pressure to reassure foreign visitors after repeated episodes that cast a shadow over Pattaya’s reputation as a safe destination. Police urged tourists to exercise caution when dealing with unknown people, especially at night, and to report incidents immediately so suspects can be apprehended and further crimes prevented.