Tourist Police have arrested four transgender suspects in connection with the alleged violent robbery of an Australian tourist in Pattaya, nearly seven months after the incident took place. The arrests follow a lengthy investigation involving CCTV analysis, witness interviews, and the execution of court-issued arrest warrants.
According to Thai police, the incident occurred on December 27, 2025, when a 53 year old Australian tourist, identified as Mr. Rajinish, reported being assaulted by a group of transgender women who allegedly stole his belongings in Pattaya.
Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations, attracting millions of international visitors each year. High profile crimes involving tourists often receive significant public attention because of their potential impact on the city’s reputation as a tourism destination.
Following the report, investigators from Pattaya Police Station and the Tourist Police launched an extensive investigation. Officers reviewed CCTV footage from the area, interviewed witnesses, and gathered evidence before seeking arrest warrants.
On June 29, 2026, the Pattaya Provincial Court approved warrants for four suspects on charges of jointly committing robbery at night and jointly assaulting another person, causing physical and psychological harm. Under Thailand’s legal system, arrest warrants are issued by a court after police present sufficient evidence to support an investigation.
Tourist Police officers spent several weeks tracking the suspects. Police said some had left Pattaya, while others had remained in the city.
The four suspects were arrested at separate locations:
- Peerapong, 19, outside a condominium in Pattaya.
- Phimphisa, 20, outside a condominium in Pattaya.
- Chanachai, 20, outside a restaurant in Maha Sarakham province in northeastern Thailand.
- Phongsakorn, 18, at a residence in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok.
Police said all four acknowledged they were the individuals named in the arrest warrants and confirmed they appeared in CCTV footage recorded at the scene. However, each denied the specific criminal charges.
The suspects have been transferred to investigators for legal proceedings. As with all criminal cases in Thailand, the allegations remain before the courts, and the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through the judicial process.
