5-3-2024 (BANGKOK) In the aftermath of a tumultuous brawl dubbed “Thai Katoey Veterans Day” on Sukhumvit, tensions remain high as two members of the Thai transgender group involved in the altercation voiced their disappointment on Tuesday. The clash, which occurred outside a hotel in Soi 11, saw six Thai transgender women alleging an attack by a group of 20 Filipino transgender women.
Expressing their frustration, the Thai representatives criticized the ease with which the Filipino perpetrators left the country. They also raised concerns about the police’s inability to apprehend more than two of the attackers. The Thai group filed complaints, leading to the arrest of four Filipinos who now face charges at Lumpini Police Station.
The Thai representatives urged immigration police to investigate why numerous Filipino transgender women stay in hotels on Soi 11. They also questioned if the attackers had overstayed the 30-day visa stamp granted upon their arrival.
The incident, labeled “Thai Katoey Veterans Day,” gained widespread attention on social media and television channels. The term “veterans day” was inspired by the gathering of hundreds of Thai transgenders and LGBTQ members at Sukhumvit Soi 11, seemingly unorganized. Clashes erupted between this group and the Filipinos, despite police intervention, leading to the arrest of four individuals.
The Thai representatives revealed that their group had been working in the Sukhumvit area for years, but the sudden arrival of large groups of Filipino transgender women created tensions. The Thai group accused the Filipinos of encroaching on their territory, particularly outside a hotel on Soi 11.
Recounting the incident, the Thai representatives stated that the Filipino group began taunting and hurling abuses at them early on Monday, escalating to a physical attack. The clashes continued throughout the night, involving the police, Thai LGBTQ members, and the detained Filipinos.
The representatives defended their actions, stating that the Thai LGBTQ community responded to the violence initiated by the Filipinos. They suggested that checking CCTV footage in the area over the past 12 days would reveal the Filipinos working illegally.
Police officials, including Pol Maj-General Witthawas Chinkham, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5, have coordinated with the Immigration Bureau to determine if the Filipinos breached any laws. While the group arrived in Thailand as tourists, investigations will assess the legality of their entry and potential illegal work activities.
