Two teenagers in Thailand have been arrested after allegedly stabbing and robbing an Australian tourist of 140,000 baht, approximately S$5,500, at a guesthouse in Pattaya.
The suspects, aged 16 and 17, were detained by Thai police and tourist police officers on 5 May following investigations into the violent robbery, which reportedly took place a day earlier in South Pattaya.
Authorities said the pair have since been charged and handed over for further legal proceedings.
Tourist Allegedly Invited Pair To Guesthouse Room
According to reports from Thai media, the victim, identified as 45-year-old Australian national Alikosh Ghulam, told investigators he had invited two individuals he believed were women back to his guesthouse room late on 4 May.
However, an argument allegedly broke out after he discovered the pair were transgender individuals.
During the confrontation, one of the teenagers reportedly pushed the tourist into the bathroom before stabbing him in the upper right chest area using a sharp object.
The suspects then allegedly fled the scene with approximately 140,000 baht in cash.
Despite his injuries, the victim later sought medical treatment before filing a police report with Pattaya City Police.
Police Trace Suspects To Nearby Condominium
Following investigations, police managed to trace the two suspects to a condominium located near the scene of the incident.
The teenagers, identified only as Phi, 17, and Priew, 16, were subsequently arrested.
According to local reports, both suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement during questioning.
Police also seized a pair of scissors believed to have been used in the attack, along with some cash allegedly connected to the robbery.
The suspects were later handed over to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station.
Facing Serious Robbery Charges
Thai authorities stated that the pair have been charged with jointly committing armed robbery at night and acting together with weapons to facilitate theft.
Under Thai law, offences involving weapons and violent robbery can carry severe penalties, particularly when bodily harm is involved.
The case has attracted significant attention online due to the ages of the suspects and the violent nature of the incident.
Pattaya Continues To Face Tourist Safety Concerns
Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most visited nightlife and tourism destinations, attracting millions of international visitors each year.
However, the city has also periodically faced scrutiny over tourist safety issues, including theft, assault, scams, and violent disputes involving foreign travellers.
Thai authorities have in recent years increased tourist police patrols and surveillance efforts in popular nightlife districts to improve visitor safety and maintain confidence in the country’s tourism sector.
The latest case has once again sparked discussions online regarding personal safety precautions for tourists travelling abroad, especially in nightlife-heavy entertainment areas.