PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya Tourist Police have arrested four suspects wanted in connection with the alleged robbery and assault of an Australian tourist, following a months-long investigation into the incident that damaged the image of the city’s tourism industry. The case began on December 27, 2025, when a 53-year-old Australian tourist reported to Pattaya City Police that he had been attacked by a group of transgender suspects who allegedly assaulted him and stole his belongings.
Police said they continued investigating the case and coordinated with Pattaya City Police investigators to gather evidence, review CCTV footage, and interview witnesses. The investigation led the Pattaya Provincial Court to issue arrest warrants for four suspects on June 29, on charges of jointly committing robbery at night and jointly assaulting a person causing physical and psychological harm. Tourist Police said some suspects had fled the area, while others continued living normally in Pattaya. Officers later tracked down and arrested all four suspects.
The suspects were identified as Peerapong, 19, arrested outside a condominium in Pattaya, Phimphisa, 20, arrested outside a condominium in Pattaya, Chanachai, 20, arrested outside a restaurant in Maha Sarakham Province, and Phongsakorn, 18, arrested at a residence in Ratchaburi Province. Police said all four acknowledged they were the individuals named in the arrest warrants and admitted they appeared in video footage from the scene. However, they denied the charges filed against them. The suspects were taken to investigators to proceed with legal action in accordance with the law.
