CHON BURI: An Indian tourist lost his wallet and about 27,000 baht in cash to a transvestite pickpocket while on a minibus early Tuesday morning, police said.
Accompanied by a group of Indian friends, Vaghela Rakesh Kumar Manubhai, 46, filed a complaint with Pattaya police about 4.30am.
Speaking through an interpreter, the Indian man said he and his friends were walking on Pattaya beach and were approached by a transvestite who feigned friendship.
On learning that they were returning to their hotel, the transvestite hailed a minibus for them and accompanied them on the ride.
At the mouth of Soi 13/3 on Pattaya beach road, the transvestite got off, saying he would go to his motorcycle.
When the Indians arrived at the hotel, Mr Manubhai reached for his wallet and found it had been stolen. Inside the wallet was about US$700, 7,500 Indian rupees and 3,000 baht - altogether about 27,000 baht.
They took the minibus back to Pattaya police station and filed their complaint.