A violent brawl involving British tourists and transgender women erupted in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Walking Street, a notorious party hub in the Thai city of Pattaya. The confrontation was sparked by accusations from the holidaymakers that the group, often referred to locally as ladyboys, had attempted to steal from them.
Chaotic Scene Captured on Video
Footage from the incident shows a furious British tourist accusing the transgender women of trying to enter his holiday villa and take money. In the video, a man can be heard saying, "Yes, you did. You tried to go to my villa, 10 bedroom, you tried to steal from me." He adds, "Watch these girls, I slapped them all," before walking over to another ladyboy and forcefully shoving her to the ground.
Escalation of Violence
After being pushed, the woman got back on her feet and chased after the British man. However, before she could reach him, another tourist intervened, punching her in the face. She attempted to strike back but was tackled to the floor again, with the tourist seen pulling her hair during the struggle. Amid the commotion, the ladyboy appeared to drop an item, which the tourist picked up before walking away.
Onlookers were heard screaming, with some trying to break up the fight. Later, the group of Brits was seen pouring beer on locals, further inflaming tensions. Police were called to the scene, but both sides had dispersed before officers arrived. Authorities stated on Wednesday that no report had been filed about the incident, and the British tourists had not been identified.
Witness Account of the Incident
A motorcycle taxi driver who witnessed the fight provided details, saying, "Before the incident, I was sitting and calling out to customers when I noticed three foreigners arguing with a group of transgender women. One tourist wearing a blue shirt suddenly pushed one of them to the ground, and then they began chasing and attacking each other. As a result, two to three of the transgender women were injured. I don't know what they were fighting about."
Pattaya's Reputation as 'Sin City'
Pattaya has become Thailand's flagship tourist destination, driven by its bars, massage parlours, and cheap sex offerings. However, ongoing incidents involving tourists being attacked or caught up in crime have led the resort town to be dubbed 'Sin City,' tarnishing the wider image of Thailand as a family-friendly holiday destination with stunning beaches, food, and a rich history.
Recent Similar Incidents in Pattaya
This brawl follows another street fight last month involving two Brits, Francis Dunne and Lee Farmer, who were caught up in a confrontation with Australian and American tourists in Pattaya. Violence erupted after the Brits confronted an alleged attacker over his actions, leading to a fight that spilled onto the streets and caused panic along the neon-lit bar strip.
Footage from that incident shows the pair battering a man in a red shirt, with one unleashing a kick that knocked him unconscious. They then turned their fury on an Australian, as a group of women shouted at them to stop. Police arrived and took the three men to the local station, while the American in the red shirt was hospitalized for treatment. The group reportedly later made amends, with one of the British men hugging a man who had a swollen left eye.
