The incident, which occurred at about 10pm, has sparked widespread reaction online after footage shared by a Facebook page was circulated widely on social media.
The video shows the foreign woman approaching a group of transgender women on the busy nightlife street. Although the audio is unclear, her gestures appear to be teasing and insulting. One of the group steps away, but the woman continues her apparent verbal provocation.
She is then seen reaching out and touching one of the women on the face. The woman reacts by pushing her back. Within seconds, the situation escalates as two others move in from behind, grabbing the tourist by the hair and pulling her violently.
As the foreign woman turns to face them, the initial woman delivers a flying side kick to her head, knocking her to the ground. What follows is a sustained group assault, with multiple attackers kicking her repeatedly, including to the head. One is seen driving a knee into the side of her head, while others deliver stomping kicks as she lies on the ground.
The footage shows the assault taking place in front of numerous onlookers, with no immediate intervention until security guards arrive.
Despite the severity of the attack seen in the video, online reaction largely focused on mocking the tourist’s behaviour rather than condemning the violence. Comments ranged from criticism to humour, with many suggesting the woman’s apparent intoxication had led to the incident, while largely overlooking the brutality of the group assault in response.
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, told reporters that the woman had been heavily intoxicated and causing disturbances along Bangla Rd prior to the incident. She was seen bumping into other tourists and allegedly taking flowers from a vendor without paying.
The witness said the group of transgender women attempted to avoid the tourist several times, but she continued to follow them and initiated a confrontation that escalated into violence.
Another witness, identified only as ‘Ms Kae’ (a pseudonym), said she initially saw the tourist behaving in a friendly manner, hugging several men. However, her demeanour changed when she approached the group, and she appeared clearly intoxicated during the argument that followed.
Security guards eventually intervened and separated those involved before the situation dispersed. No serious injuries have been reported.
Pol Lt Col Patiwat Yodkhwan, Deputy Chief of Patong Police, confirmed that officers are now aware of the incident and are reviewing the video.
“I would like to check the viral video first, then will see if any charges or any action has been taken that night,” he said.
Officers at Patong Police Station added that no formal complaint has yet been filed, and investigations are ongoing as police gather more information from the footage circulating online.