A 3,000-dollar hug: new case of transsexual pickpockets in Thailand

A group of transgender women allegedly stole a gold necklace worth US$3,000 from a Canadian tourist in Pattaya on April 11.

This is unfortunately a common occurrence in the seaside city of Pattaya , we have published numerous articles on this subject, and are adding this recent theft as a reminder for travelers.

If you come across transgender women in Pattaya and they want to hug you, it's best to dodge, as this is a common tactic used by pickpockets to steal your belongings, such as your wallet or gold necklace.

See: Ladyboy pickpockets continue to plague Pattaya, eastern Thailand

And it's not just Pattaya that's happening, similar incidents have taken place at popular tourist spots in Bangkok and Phuket .

Watch: Tourist filming himself has his gold necklace stolen live in Thailand

New gold necklace theft in Pattaya

The Canadian tourist filed a complaint about the theft of his gold necklace at the Pattaya police station on Friday, April 11, 2025.

At 1:06 a.m., Nirbjit, a 57-year-old Canadian national, filed a complaint with Pattaya police, recounting a bizarre and disturbing encounter.

According to Nirbjit, while walking past a McDonald's on Pattaya Beach Road, he was approached by four or five transgender people who greeted him in a friendly manner before beginning to hug and touch him inappropriately.

Despite their advances, Nirbjit remained calm, choosing not to engage with the group and instead walking away.

However, it was only after he had moved away from the group that he realized that his gold necklace, including a pendant weighing about 20 grams, was missing.

The stolen jewelry was valued at between US$2,000 and US$3,000 (approximately 68,000 to 102,000 baht), and Nirbjit immediately suspected the group of being responsible for the theft.

In response to the complaint, Pattaya police accompanied Nirbjit to the scene, where they reviewed CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the suspects.

Officers also interviewed witnesses at the scene to gather more information about the incident and locate those involved.

As the investigation continues, local police are urging visitors to remain vigilant, especially when approached by strangers in such busy areas.

Pattaya police assured the public that they were doing everything possible to locate the suspects and bring them to justice.

Tourists are reminded to keep their personal belongings safe, especially in busy and crowded areas, and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.

See also:

Why tourists should avoid wearing a gold necklace in Thailand?

Thailand: a pickpocket ladyboy caught in the act of stealing from a tourist in Pattaya

A hug for 10,000 bahts: new case of ladyboy pickpocket in Thailand

13 things to know about ladyboys (transvestites) in Thailand

Thailand: 37 Transgender Women Arrested to Restore Phuket's Image

Theft of tourists by transsexual pickpockets continues in Thailand

Thailand: a foreign prostitute steals 6,000 euros from a Frenchman in Phuket

Source: The Thaiger