Thai transwomen fight over foreign client on Phuket’s Bangla Road
Another physical fight broke out between Thai transwomen on Soi Bangla in Phuket last night, reportedly over a dispute to win the heart, and wallet, of a foreign client.
Local news outlet Phuket Times reported on the incident, which occurred on the yesterday, November 26.
“Ladyboys! Violent altercation! Bangla Road, Patong. Fighting over a foreign client. Ignoring repeated warnings. Locals are tired of this behaviour. Many entertainment venues banned them. Some have criminal histories, including theft from foreigners. Authorities must act to protect Phuket’s tourism image before more damage is done.”
Photographs shared by the media depicted two transwomen engaging in a physical fight, eventually collapsing to the ground. Other transwomen gathered around to cheer and support their respective friends.
Channel 7 released CCTV footage showing a transwoman dressed in black following another dressed in white. The pair exchanged heated words before the individual in white grabbed her rival by the hair.
The fight spilled onto the road, lasting several minutes before the participants were separated, seemingly without police intervention.
Many netizens expressed frustration in the Phuket Times comments section about the frequent altercations involving transwomen. One Thai woman shared her personal experience, saying:
“I was once walking with my foreign boyfriend when a transwoman unexpectedly slapped me in the face, accusing me of stealing her client. This behaviour is unacceptable. Authorities must address the issue.”
Other commenters pointed out the negative impact such incidents have on the broader transgender community, while others found the incident a normal thing in the province.
“Your actions tarnish the reputation of all transwomen. You’re harming your community’s image while working in the same area!”
“Don’t be embarrassed. This kind of behaviour is normal in red-light districts. If it’s not transwomen fighting, it’s foreigners. At least transwomen don’t fight every day, foreigners do.”
This altercation is not an isolated incident. Last week, a fight broke out between a Thai transwoman and a foreign man at a Phuket hotel after the man refused to pay upon realising the Thai national was transgender.
Earlier in November, another altercation between Thai transwomen and a foreign man was reported in Phuket, although the motive remains unclear.
