Pattaya, May 6th, 2026
Pattaya City Police, in coordination with Tourist Police, have arrested two transgender teenagers for the alleged robbery and stabbing of a 45-year-old Australian man in a South Pattaya hotel room.
The incident occurred around midnight on May 4th, 2026. According to police, Mr. Alikosh, a 45-year-old Australian national, invited two transgender teens to his accommodation in the South Pattaya area to hang out, believing them to be adult biological women.
A dispute broke out after the victim discovered their gender identity. During the argument, one of the suspects allegedly pushed the victim into the bathroom and stabbed him in the right chest area with a pair of scissors. The pair then stole approximately 6,000 Australian dollars (around 140,000 Thai baht) in cash before fleeing.
Police were notified and immediately launched an investigation. On the evening of May 5th, officers from Pattaya City Police Station and Tourist Police Sub-Division 4 tracked the suspects to a nearby condominium and arrested them.
The two suspects, identified as 17-year-old “Pee” and 16-year-old “Pew” (both described as youths), were apprehended along with a pair of scissors believed to be the weapon and some of the stolen cash. Both reportedly confessed to the crime.
They have been charged with joint robbery at night using a weapon, committed by two or more persons to facilitate the theft. The suspects were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Senior officers, including Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Sabanon and Tourist Police investigators, stated that such violent robbery cases targeting tourists, many of which involve transgender women, significantly damage Pattaya’s image as a safe tourist destination.
“These incidents often occur inside private rooms, making prevention difficult,” police noted. “However, once reported, we respond immediately with full-area searches and rapid arrests.”
The victim received medical treatment for his stab wound and filed a formal complaint and also stressed he did not know that the suspects were transgender or minors as they lied about both aspects of their identity.
Authorities say they are stepping up measures to prevent similar crimes while urging tourists to exercise caution when inviting strangers to their accommodations to “hang out”.
