Ladyboy pickpockets continue to plague Pattaya, eastern Thailand

The famous seaside resort of Pattaya, which attracts many tourists, is still facing a problem with transvestite pickpockets.

The stories are often the same: tourists wander the streets of Pattaya and transvestite men (ladyboys) approach them offering sexual services.

They try to touch them or hug them and take advantage of the opportunity to steal the victims' belongings.

See: A 10,000 baht hug: new ladyboy pickpocket case in Thailand

Thai police have launched operations to try to combat these pickpockets, but the cases continue.

See: Police launch campaign to protect tourists from transvestites in Thailand

A 29-year-old transgender woman fled along South Pattaya Road after stealing a gold necklace worth 300,000 baht (7,899 euros) from a Chinese tourist on Christmas Day last year.

Yu Chao, a 36-year-old Chinese tourist, was left speechless.

After a night out, Chao was walking back to his hotel around 3:50 a.m. on December 25 when he met a transgender woman near Wat Chai temple who offered him a ride.

After he politely declined her offer, Mr. Chao said the suspect persisted, hugged him, and engaged in unwelcome physical contact.

Shortly after parting ways, he discovered that he had lost his precious gold necklace, a possession worth 300,000 baht.

Determined to seek justice, Chao quickly reported the incident to the Chinese embassy.

With the help of a translator, the case reached the desks of the Pattaya Police and the Tourist Police, prompting a thorough investigation led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Ensarn.

This incident is significant as Thailand suffers from a poor image in China, due to several incidents, such as the shooting at the Siam Paragon shopping mall and a smear campaign on Chinese social media.

See: Tourism: Thailand deemed too dangerous by Chinese travelers

After a careful examination of CCTV footage taken near the scene, police were able to identify the perpetrator as Wichai Chueaphrasong, a 29-year-old resident of Nong Hin district, Loei province.

An arrest warrant quickly followed, leading to Wichai's arrest on January 5.

Surprisingly, Wichai admitted to the theft.

Although the necklace was pawned and sold, she agreed to reimburse Chao for its full value.

While Chao found comfort in the unexpected settlement, police said Wichai would not escape legal consequences.

She is accused of nighttime burglary and must pay various theft-related penalties.

Although most ladyboy pickpocketing incidents have taken place in Pattaya, similar robberies have also occurred in tourist areas of Bangkok and Phuket .

You should be especially careful when you are walking through the streets of tourist areas and you encounter a transvestite who tries to touch you.

See also:

Transgender thief warns tourists in Thailand

Why should tourists avoid wearing a gold necklace in Thailand?

Tourist filming himself has his gold necklace stolen live in Thailand

Source: The Pattaya News