PATTAYA – Police have reported that a 65-year-old British tourist was violently attacked in his Pattaya condominium in the early hours of Friday, 12 September 2025. The incident involved four transgender persons (Ladyboys) and has triggered a citywide hunt for those responsible, as well as renewed worries about tourist security in this well-known beach city.
The victim, named Mr Kirkwood, suffered serious head wounds. This event has added to ongoing worries about a rise in violent incidents involving transgender individuals in Pattaya’s busy nightlife areas.
Lieutenant Manasak Phonliam, Deputy Inspector at Pattaya City Police, said the attack took place at around 12:30 a.m. inside a high-rise condo on South Pattaya Soi 2, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung. Officers rushed to the scene after an urgent call, along with rescue staff from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation.
On the 20th floor, they found Mr Kirkwood with a deep cut on his head and blood running down his face. First aid was given on the spot before he was taken to the hospital, where his condition was described as serious but stable.
Mr Kirkwood told police he had arranged to meet two women that night. Instead, four transgender women turned up at his flat. When he refused their company due to the extra numbers, they allegedly demanded a “time fee” of 10,000 baht (about $315) each, totalling 40,000 baht ($1,260).
His refusal to pay triggered a heated row that soon turned into violence. According to Pattaya police, the attackers used a machete or sharp blade, striking Mr Kirkwood several times on the head. The group left the condo before officers arrived, while Kirkwood managed to make his way downstairs to get help from building security.
Police Lieutenant Manasak confirmed that this case is a high priority, both because of the brutal nature of the attack and the impact on Pattaya’s reputation with tourists. Police are now reviewing CCTV footage from inside the building to help identify the suspects.
Officers have alerted transport hubs and shared details with local units, aiming to stop those responsible from fleeing the city. Manasak said, “This attack goes beyond physical harm. It puts Pattaya’s image as a safe and friendly place to visit at risk.”
Ladyboys Assaulting Tourists in Pattaya
This assault follows other recent incidents involving transgender people and tourists in Pattaya, a city famous for its nightlife but now under close watch for safety issues. On 22 March 2025, a foreign tourist suffered a serious head injury after being hit repeatedly with high heels by a transgender woman near Walking Street.
The scene was filmed by bystanders, showing the tourist trying to escape as others stood by. Witnesses reported the argument came from a dispute over services in an area known for frequent crime targeting tourists.
In another case on 19 July 2025, Mr Zhang, a visitor from China, said he was robbed of 20,000 baht ($617) by a transgender woman after being led to his hotel room. Just a few days earlier, on 15 July, an American tourist was attacked and robbed by two transgender women near Pattaya Beach Soi 6/1.
He lost 3,000 baht ($93) and received head injuries. These events and others have increased calls for action, with many seeing a worrying pattern of criminal behaviour aimed at foreign guests, especially in the late-night districts.
Local businesses and residents have spoken out, fearing these frequent attacks are damaging Pattaya’s standing as a top tourist spot. Social media users have argued that troublemakers, many believed to be outsiders, are behind the spike in local crime. Long-term residents have shared personal stories of similar incidents, showing the issue has not been resolved over the years.
Police acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. There are calls for more patrols, stricter hotel guest identification, and improved training for bars and club staff. A senior official said, “Pattaya should be safe for everyone but that takes respect from all sides.”
The police are asking anyone with information about the attack on 12 September to come forward, stressing the importance of public help and CCTV footage in finding those responsible.
The attack on Duncan Kirkwood has restarted debates about how nightlife in Pattaya can impact the safety of guests from abroad.
While the city is still a leading tourist draw, incidents like this one show the need for better safeguards on the streets and a more thoughtful approach to social issues. As authorities push forward with the investigation, their main focus is to see justice served for Mr Kirkwood and to stop further violence in this lively but sometimes unpredictable resort town.
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