PATTAYA — Four transgender women have been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery and assault of a 53-year-old Australian tourist in Pattaya on 27 December 2025, police said.
The Australian man reported to Pattaya police that he was attacked by a group of transgender women who allegedly assaulted him and stole his belongings.
The incident raised concerns over the image of Pattaya as an international tourist destination. Police said they continued investigating and tracking down those involved.
On 29 June 2026, the Pattaya Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for four suspects on charges of jointly committing nighttime robbery and assault causing physical and mental harm.
Pattaya Tourist Police investigators later located the suspects, with some allegedly leaving the area while others continued living in Pattaya.
The suspects were identified as Peeraphong, 19, and Pimphisa, 20, who were arrested outside condominiums in Pattaya; Chanachai, 20, who was arrested outside a restaurant in Maha Sarakham province; and Pongsakorn, 18, who was arrested at a residence in Ratchaburi province.
Police said all four acknowledged they were the individuals named in the arrest warrants and appeared in video footage from the scene, but denied the charges.
They were handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings, police said.