Two transgender women arrested over theft of Chinese tourist’s $600,000 Patek Philippe watch in Pattaya

PATTAYA – Police in Pattaya have arrested two transgender women accused of stealing a diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch worth approximately US$600,000 from a Chinese tourist’s hotel room before demanding money for the return of his belongings.

The suspects, aged 30 and 24, were arrested at around 00.30 on Sunday (8 November) following a complaint filed by Chinese tourist Wu Yizeng at Pattaya City Police Station the previous day.

According to police, Wu reported that the two women had taken his passport and a luxury wristwatch from his hotel room in Soi 6, Pattaya.

The missing watch was identified as a silver-coloured Patek Philippe Nautilus PP5719G, made of 18-carat white gold and covered in diamonds. Wu estimated its value at approximately 4 million yuan (US$600,000).

Police said the two women subsequently demanded money from Wu in exchange for returning his belongings.

Wu agreed to pay 20,000 baht in cash but received only his passport. The watch was not returned at the time, and the women left the hotel.

Following their arrest, the suspects returned the luxury watch to police.

The two women claimed they had taken the watch and passport because the Chinese tourist had refused to pay them for their services. They said they intended to use the belongings to pressure him into making the payment.

Police said investigators would proceed with legal action against the suspects.