PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya Tourist Police have arrested a transgender suspect accused of stealing cash from a South Korean tourist after allegedly pretending to lose control to avoid suspicion.
The arrest was led by Pol. Lt. Col. Prabda Suksuntharee and Pol. Lt. Col. Apichart Jarurak of the Pattaya Tourist Police investigation team. Officers executed a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court (No. 118/2569, dated February 26, 2026) on charges of night-time robbery causing harm to another person.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Ratthaphum, also known as “Fuangfa,” was apprehended at a dormitory in the Huai Khwang area of Bangkok before being brought back to the Pattaya Tourist Police office for questioning.
The case stems from an incident on February 24, when a 46-year-old South Korean tourist, identified as Mr. Kim, and his friend invited three transgender individuals to drink at a private pool villa in Huai Yai, Banglamung district, Chonburi.
During the gathering, the tourist later discovered that 20,000 baht in cash had gone missing. According to police, Fuangfa allegedly began acting erratically at the scene—shouting, throwing objects, and appearing mentally unstable—before fleeing the property.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly confessed to taking the money after seeing a large amount of cash in the tourist’s bag and acting out of greed. When suspicion arose, the suspect claimed to have pretended to lose control in order to deflect attention before escaping.
Police said the suspect apologized and admitted responsibility during the interrogation.
The arrest has been formally recorded, and the suspect has been handed over to investigators at Huai Yai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
