PATTAYA, Thailand, February 26, 2026 — A Chinese tourist fled a Pattaya hotel room early this month after being threatened and robbed, and authorities have now arrested a 20-year-old suspect in connection with the case.
Panic in a hotel room
In the early hours of February 1, the visitor ran naked from a sixth-floor hotel room in South Pattaya, Nong Prue Subdistrict, seeking help from police. The tourist reported losing 10,000 baht, roughly 280 US dollars, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The victim told police he had met a group of transgender women at Pattaya Beach earlier that evening. Pattaya Beach is a well-known nightlife area where tourists often meet entertainers and nightlife workers. The victim was invited to a hotel room, where the robbery took place.
Pattaya Tourist Police Arrest follows a court warrant
On February 26, Pattaya tourist police arrested a suspect identified as “Artee,” age 20, in a hotel room in the city. Officers acted under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant issued the day before.
Tourist police said the group is suspected of committing a joint nighttime robbery involving two or more people, a serious offence under Thai law. Authorities found five transgender women in the room, some still asleep. Artee was confirmed as the individual named in the warrant.
Officials also noted that this group had previously been linked to an earlier assault on a German tourist at Pattaya Beach, which had resulted in prior arrests.
Evidence confirms the crime
Investigators presented CCTV footage and the recovered stolen phone, which police said confirmed Artee’s involvement. The suspect did not dispute the evidence and was taken into custody. Authorities handed the suspect over to investigators to proceed with legal action.
Tourist safety remains key following Pattaya Tourist Police Arrest
Pattaya, located about 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s busiest tourist destinations. Officials said this case highlights ongoing efforts to protect visitors and maintain confidence among international tourists.
