When foreign tourists intervened to stop the assault, they too became victims of the violence.
The incident was brought to public attention through a video shared by Facebook user Sudjat Palat. The footage, lasting 29 seconds, shows three transgender individuals chasing a male foreign tourist. The video quickly gained traction online, sparking heated debate among netizens about the behaviour of both the attackers and the tourists.
According to Pol Lt Col Pongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Patong Police, the attack occurred at about 5:15am on Wednesday (Mar 5).
Officers received reports of a fight involving an Israeli tourist, two Thai women and a group of transgender individuals.
Police identified some of the alleged attackers as Suwicha Maisen, 20, Aphisit Nuikaew, 28, and Siwaphum Michan, 29, along with one or two others whose identities remain unknown.
The investigation revealed that the group had initially assaulted two Thai women, Wilaiporn Vomontree, 21, and Sunisa Thongmon, 23.
Upon witnessing the attack, Israeli tourists Nathan Serebrinsky and Ofir Tsimihi attempted to intervene but were subsequently drawn into a scuffle, resulting in injuries to both parties.
Authorities have since documented the victims’ injuries and transported them to Patong Hospital for treatment.
Investigators are now working to track down the remaining suspects and bring them to justice, Patong Police reported.