Pattaya —
14 transgender people were lifted off Pattaya Beach last night for documentation inspection and drug testing at the Pattaya Police Station.
At 10 PM on October 15th, Pattaya police conducted an impromptu inspection of Pattaya Beach in order to address various issues such as theft, drug abuse, violence, and prostitution. The sweep also comes after a viral TikTok video which appeared to show a transgender individual attacking a tourist on Pattaya Beach, although the exact details behind the attack are vague and unverified by the media.
Comprising over 30 law enforcement personnel, their primary focus during this operation was transgender “gangs” lingering on the beachfront, allegedly engaging in sex work.
During the walk around, Pattaya police apprehended 14 transgender people and took them to the Pattaya Police Station for documentation check and drug testing. After completing the procedures, the individuals were released without any fines, and there were no reports of substance abuse.
Trans criminals have posed quite a challenge for Pattaya police, especially in multiple cases of pickpocketing.
In September 2023, 55-year-old Bahraini tourist Hasan Mohamed Almuqahwi reportedly lost over 11,000 baht to two transgender thieves. The tourist said he was pickpocketed as he was leaving a Songtaew in Soi Buakhao. The suspects managed to run away, and there are no reports of an arrest made so far.
Meanwhile, trans and sex worker activist groups like SWING on social media have continually asked Pattaya police not to exclusively target transgender individuals, arguing that only a small minority of them were criminals and the vast majority were only trying to earn a living. They have urged police to only conduct fair and across the board inspections and not target particular groups.
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