An Indian tourist was hospitalised after he was assaulted by a group of transgender women in Thailand’s Pattaya city following a dispute over payment of intimate services, according to local media reports.

The incident occurred in the early hours of December 27 near the entrance of Pattaya’s famous Walking Street, a major nightlife hotspot. Videos of the altercation have since surfaced on social media, quickly going viral and sparking widespread discussion online.

Thai news portal Thaiger identified the injured man as 52-year-old Raj Jasuja. Viral footage shows several transgender women confronting him on a public road, hitting him and striking him with slippers while reportedly demanding payment.

According to eyewitness accounts, the situation escalated when Jasuja attempted to leave the area in his car. One of the women allegedly blocked the vehicle, after which a group pulled him out and assaulted him. He was seen being kicked and struck repeatedly before passers-by intervened and emergency services were called.

A 19-year-old local witness told rescue workers that the altercation began as a verbal dispute between the tourist and a transgender sex worker over payment. The argument soon turned physical after the tourist allegedly refused to pay the full agreed amount, prompting the woman to call others to the scene.

Thai police said a formal investigation will begin once the injured man recovers and files an official complaint. Authorities are reviewing witness statements and CCTV footage from the area as part of the preliminary inquiry.