PHUKET — In a sweeping overnight operation, Phuket police arrested 37 individuals, mostly transgender women, following a series of nighttime disturbances in the popular tourist area of Bangla Road in Patong Beach. However, this action was condemned by a coalition of human rights organizations.
The arrests on March 20 came just one day after a viral video showed a confrontation between a tall transgender woman and a foreign tourist. The incident reportedly began when the tourist refused to purchase roses from the woman but continued filming her.
When the tourist attempted to walk away, he allegedly slapped the transgender woman on the head, prompting her to remove her shoe as a weapon and chase after him. The altercation escalated into a physical fight before bystanders and other tourists intervened to separate them.
Nighttime disputes in Bangla Road, one of Phuket’s most popular tourist destinations, have become increasingly common, with numerous videos of such incidents circulating online.
The operation involved officers from Phuket Provincial Police, Tourist Police, Patong Police Station, and local administrative officials. Authorities stated the arrests were necessary as such incidents “create a negative image for tourism.”
However, local residents view the police action as merely a response to viral videos rather than addressing underlying issues. Sources indicate that those arrested were typically processed, fined, and then released to resume their nighttime activities in what has been a long-established business model in the area.
Later the same day, a coalition of human rights organizations and activists advocating for human rights, gender diversity, and equality in Thai society, acting under the name Bangkok Pride, issued a statement condemning this arrest of 37 transgender women.
“We express our deepest regret and strongly condemn the arrest of 37 transgender women in the Bangla Road area of Phuket province on March 20, 2025,” the statement read. “The operation was justified as ‘clearing out groups causing public nuisance’ and ‘creating a negative image for tourism,’ which reflects outdated reasoning and sexual bias that is unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The statement also revealed that Bangkok Pride had previously proposed Phuket as a host for InterPride’s international conference – a global network of Pride event organizers. While this proposal is currently under consideration, the group warned they may need to reconsider following these arrests if Phuket officials cannot provide clarification or demonstrate a clear stance on respecting and protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Bangkok Pride concluded by sending heartfelt support to transgender women and all LGBTIQN+ individuals in Phuket: “You are not wrong for being yourselves, and you deserve to be treated with dignity and equality. We affirm that we will continue to stand beside you and will not allow this injustice to be covered up with claims about ‘image’ that disregard human value.”
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