A 52-year-old Indian tourist was hospitalised in the Thai beach city of Pattaya after an alleged physical assault by a group of transgender women. The incident, stemming from a reported dispute over payment for services, occurred in the early hours of December 27.
Details of the Pattaya Beachfront Incident
According to reports, rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation received an emergency call at approximately 5:30 AM on December 27. They were alerted about an injured foreign national near the beachside entrance of the famous Walking Street entertainment district.
The responders found the victim, identified as Indian national Raj Jasuja, aged 52. He had visible injuries to his face and the back of his head. The team administered first aid at the scene before rushing him to a hospital for further medical treatment.
Witness Account and Escalation of the Dispute
A 19-year-old Thai witness, Pongpol Boonchid, provided a statement to the police and rescue personnel. He stated that the altercation began when Jasuja was seen arguing with a transgender sex worker close to the Walking Street entrance.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with the two individuals chasing and hitting each other. The witness reported that the transgender woman then called for backup. Several friends arrived and joined the assault, attacking the Indian tourist as a group.
The root cause of the conflict is believed to be a financial disagreement. Preliminary information suggests the tourist allegedly did not pay the full amount that was agreed upon for the service. Raj Jasuja has not yet made any public comments regarding the sequence of events.
Police Investigation and Pattern of Similar Cases
Local police officials have indicated that they will request a formal complaint from the injured tourist once he has sufficiently recovered from his injuries. Following the filing of the complaint, a legal investigation will be formally launched.
Authorities are currently reviewing available CCTV footage and gathering more witness statements to piece together the exact circumstances of the case.
This is not an isolated event. Reports highlight a pattern of similar incidents involving Indian tourists and transgender sex workers in Pattaya in recent months:
- In September, an Indian man was attacked after allegedly touching a transgender woman without consent during a service-related argument.
- In October, three Thai transwomen were accused of assaulting two Indian nationals at a hotel after a fight over payment. The suspects allegedly fled with cash worth about 24,000 Thai Baht.
The Pattaya police have confirmed that the investigation into the latest case is ongoing as they work to ascertain all facts.
