Irish tourist caught on CCTV fighting with Thai ladyboys over 'deleted photos'
An Irish tourist was caught on CCTV fighting with Thai ladyboys in a dispute over photos in Thailand.
Curious holidaymaker Ashley Lewis Bird allegedly sparked anger when he took photos of the transgender women as they ate burgers.
But when they asked him to delete the unflattering images, he reportedly refused, triggering a brawl in a fast-food chain in Pattaya, Thailand, on June 13.
Footage shows the ladyboys trying to snatch the holidaymaker's phone before appearing to shove him against the glass door of the restaurant, partially dislodging it.
Terrified diners fled as the row continued inside, where the male-to-female crossdressers, who still have the strength of men despite their feminine appearance, started grappling with Bird.
He tried to escape the three-on-one man tussle by running upstairs, where he grabbed a chair to fend off the aggressive ladyboys before police arrived to stop the brawl.
Lieutenant Phacharaphon Prammanee said all parties involved, including restaurant manager Pannakorn Phaokhong, 31, were summoned for questioning.
He said: ‘The shop did not wish to pursue any action against the tourist.
‘As for the transgender group, they wish to file a complaint, so we sent them for a medical examination before summoning them for questioning.
‘We will ensure fairness to both sides as we have CCTV footage to determine who was right or wrong.
‘The incident stemmed from the transgender group becoming angry with the foreigner after he took photographs of them and they asked him to delete the images.
‘However, the foreigner refused to comply, which led to the confrontation.'
The three transgender women were later sent to Pattaya Bhattamakun Hospital for a medical examination for the case file.
Disputes in Thailand are common between ladyboys and holidaymakers, who find themselves lured by the temptation of ubiquitous sexual experiences in the languid country.
The conflicts often arise from disputes over payment or expected services, made worse by language barriers and alcohol.
