PATTAYA — A Chinese tourist reported to police that he was robbed of about $765 by two transgender women at a resort in Pattaya, authorities said Tuesday.
The 43-year-old man told Pattaya City police he lost 5,350 yuan, or about 20,000 baht ($765), after inviting the two to his room in the early hours of December 30. Police said he filed the complaint at about 3:20 a.m.
According to police, the man said he placed the cash on a table in the room while drinking with the pair. He later discovered the money missing and the two women gone. He said he later spotted them walking along the beach, detained one and called police.
One suspect, identified by police as Phanurat Akhana, 16, denied the allegation during questioning. She told investigators she had previously exchanged contact information with the tourist and agreed to meet him to drink together, negotiating a fee of 4,000 baht ($125) per person. She said the group later went outside to find food, but the man chased her, pulled her hair and accused her of theft.
Phanurat said she did not take the money and was helping search for it when the confrontation occurred. Police said she agreed to compensation under pressure but asked for time to gather evidence to prove her innocence.
Police said Phanurat is being held while officers search for the second woman, who they believe took the money, to face possible charges under Thai law.
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