Filipino vs Thai transgender brawl in Bangkok

A dispute involving twenty Filipinos and four Thai trans women erupted in Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok, on Monday, March 4, escalating into a mass brawl as over 100 local sex workers swarmed around Citin Sukhumvit 11 Hotel.

The dispute arose from reports that twenty Filipino trans women conspired against four Thai trans women, one of whom was allegedly assaulted and robbed.

Prior to the incident, video footage captured a Thai woman being provoked by the Filipino group, who reportedly gestured with their middle finger and verbally abused the Thai transwoman. This published video from the Filipino group ridiculing and abusing a well-known Thai transwoman caused an uproar on Thai social media.

อีตัวต้นเรื่อง พี่เสื้อแดงคือใจเย็นจัด แต่ล่ะตัวคือน่าหยุมมาก ดับมั่นไปสิ EDT ! #สุขุมวิท11 pic.twitter.com/WZ7O9eISql

— ꧁༒ 𝑅𝑒𝑦 𝑄 ༒꧂ (@__reyq) March 4, 2024

Video footage shared by @__reyq on X

It was said that the conflict was expected to be resolved when authorities arrived and attempted to escort one of the alleged assailants to the Lumpini Police Station for questioning. However, the Thai crowd waiting outside the assailant's hotel burst through police lines and initiated a huge altercation.

In a Facebook live stream by Chatchai Paikhamnam, stilettos were seen being hurled as Thai transwomen clashed with local law enforcement. Scenes depicted girls pulling at the assailant’s hair, people climbing and stamping on buildings and one another, skirmishes breaking out, punches being thrown, and shoes and objects hurtling through the air.

Courtesy Chatchai Paikhamnam

In a Daily Mail article, those involved have been summoned for police investigation, with authorities assuring fairness in the process. Immigration status checks are underway for the detained Filipino group, who were reportedly working without proper visas and permits. 

Local police have taken individuals into custody, but precise numbers of arrests or injuries are undisclosed.

Due to the incident, the hashtag #สุขุมวิท11 quickly became a top trend on X (formerly Twitter) as numerous users flooded the platform with accounts of the brawl. Videos and posts depicting the events unfolding on Sukhumvit 11 were widely shared.

X user @sighyam who posted a highlight thread on the platform said "Thai people do not play when it comes to our trans people.” 

Thai people do not play when it comes to our trans people. They are not “fair play” for anyone, especially not non-Thais. It is the only country on earth where even straight men will defend trans women. I have seen Thai men knock out foreigners for attacking trans women.

— yammi (@sighyam) March 5, 2024

They also added that "when drunk foreigners visit Thailand and start acting rowdy and violent to Thai people within the clubbing scene, other Thais don’t care if the victim is trans or not trans, being Thai comes first. This is why so many visitors are shocked when they get beat up or scold at."

Thailand is widely accepting of LGBT individuals, largely attributed to the predominantly Buddhist culture within the country. Thai Buddhists believe that transgender women are women born in male bodies as a form of repentance for past-life sins. Thus, they are regarded with compassion and understanding.