Late on Monday night, a tumultuous incident unfolded on Soi Sukhumvit 11, as police were called to intervene in a heated confrontation between approximately 20 Filipino transgender women and two Thai transgender women.
The altercation, which involved verbal attacks, was recorded and shared online, sparking outrage within the community.
Police Respond to Disturbance: Attempt to ‘Rescue’ Thai Trans Women
Prompted by reports of the altercation, law enforcement swiftly arrived at the scene to address the clash between the Filipino and Thai transgender women.
The dispute had escalated to the point where police attempted to intervene and “rescue” the two Thai trans women who were being targeted by their Filipino counterparts.
Social Media Mobilization: More Thai Trans Women Join to Respond
As the situation unfolded, social media played a significant role in mobilizing additional Thai transgender women to gather at the scene and respond to the ongoing attack.
Despite police attempts to control the situation, three separate clashes erupted between the two groups outside a hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 11.
Unplanned Gathering: Support for Thai Trans Women Under Attack
Many members of the gathering claimed that they had not been specifically called upon but arrived to offer support to the six Thai trans women who were allegedly attacked by their Filipino peers earlier that day at 5 am.
The gathering aimed to show moral support for the Thai representatives who found themselves in a contentious situation.
Social Media Provocation: Taunting Comments Ignite Anger
The incident took a more disturbing turn as clips of the altercation were posted on social media platforms.
What fueled the outrage and anger, however, were the taunting comments posted by the Filipino group involved in the clash.
The inflammatory remarks further heightened tensions between the two transgender communities.
Thai Representatives’ Perspective: Seeking Resolution Without Backup
Contrary to claims of mobilizing for an attack, the two Thai representatives asserted that they had not sought any backup.
Instead, they explained that they had visited the hotel where the Filipino group was staying in an attempt to settle differences amicably.
The unexpected support from others, they believed, stemmed from clips circulating on social media, prompting a show of moral solidarity.