MANILA, Philippines — Two transgender Filipinos are currently facing charges for assault and battery after a fight involving around 20 Filipino and four Thai transwomen in Bangkok, Thailand, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Wednesday.
The fight occurred at a restaurant in Soi Sukhumvit 11 near Nana BTS station on Monday night, resulting in one Thai being injured.
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“There were actually just three Filipino transgenders being investigated by Thai police for assault and battery,” De Vega told INQUIRER.net.
Two of these transwomen, according to De Vega, are currently facing charges of assault.
“There is an expected hearing on March 8,” he added.
On the other hand, De Vega said there was another transgender Filipino who was not a part of the altercation but was attacked by Thais.
“There is a fourth Filipino transgender who was injured when the Thais attacked [her], though [she] was not part of the altercation,” he added.
In a separate message to reporters, De Vega said the fourth Filipino transwoman is also planning to file charges with the help of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok.
De Vega said all four were tourists in Thailand, but police are still currently investigating if they were engaged in the sex trade.
He then assured the public that the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is already providing assistance to all involved Filipino transgenders.
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Around 20 other Filipino transgenders have already left their hotel to either transfer or go back home to the Philippines after receiving threats from Thais, according to De Vega.
Investigators are currently interviewing the two groups as well as witnesses to determine how the fight started.