A 58-year-old Belgian tourist reported to police at 5:04am last Sunday (Dec 22) that he had been approached by two individuals while walking on Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong.
According to the victim, the suspects ‒ a Thai woman and a transgender woman ‒ hugged him, after which he discovered that €600 (about B23,000) was missing, Patong Police reported yesterday (Dec 25).
An investigation team reviewed CCTV footage from the area and traced the suspects’ escape route to their residence. Officers apprehended the individuals and conducted a search, which uncovered evidence of drug possession, Patong Police said.
One of the suspects was identified as a 33-year-old transgender woman, who was also found with 0.9 grammes of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice). She has been charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic (crystal meth) without permission.
The other suspect, a 38-year-old Thai woman, who admitted to using methamphetamine, has been charged with illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic, police confirmed.
Neither suspect was named in the report by police.
During questioning, the pair confessed to robbing the Belgian tourist and admitted to another similar incident involving a Russian tourist.
Both suspects were taken to Patong Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings, police confirmed
Police have urged tourists to remain vigilant in the area and promptly report any suspicious activity.