Bangkok—
On March 5th, 2024, the Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt and relevant agencies performed a field inspection for illegal activities including so-called taxi mafia and alleged prostitution, as well as illegal guides, in Soi Nana Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok.
During the inspection, Thai national media inquired to Chadchart regarding the recent incident involving over 100 Thai transgender people who went to protest against a group of Filipino transgender people in Soi Sukhumvit 11 on March 4th. Chadchart stated that it was a conflict between two different groups of people and this inspection was not directly related to the incident.
Chadchart said that he regularly commuted on this route and the street was in disorder as many homeless and drunk people could be seen in the early morning.
As for the incident involving Thai transgender people on March 4th, Thai netizens named it as the “Transgender Veterans Incident”.Chadchart said that relevant agencies would investigate further.
However, regarding alleged prostitution services in Soi Sukhumvit and other areas in Bangkok, there was no report of any similar incidents on Traffy Fondue, an online platform to report any complaints to the Bangkok government. However, the Bangkok government had no authority to oversee the issues related to immigration and the police process, according to Chadchart.
The Bangkok government could oversee street orders such as nuisance complaints, and Bangkok municipal officials would handle the issues.
However, many locals also reported concerns over the use of marijuana in public areas. Although the Bangkok government inspected the cases, it was found that there were no illegal activities as the cannabis shops were open legally according to laws.
Other illegal issues found such as electric cigarettes and sex toys could be easily accessed on the streets and online platforms, said Chadchart.
On the same day, Thai immigration officers investigated the case of a group of Filipino transgender people who allegedly physically attacked two Thai transgender people and whether they legally stayed in Thailand or not.
Upon police investigation led by Lumpini police officers, in the reported area, Soi Sukhumvit 11/1, more than 10 Filipino transgender people resided. The police were currently identifying them with CCTV.
Thai immigration officers would gather the evidence and record their identities, and in case the culprits fled the country, they would be marked as wanted criminals according to legal processing.
It was reported that there were no prostitution services among Thai and foreign nationals transgender people in Soi Sukhumvit 11, according to Thai immigration officers and Thai police.
This statement drove significant scrutiny on Thai social media, notes TPN.
