What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway in Pattaya, Thailand quickly spiraled into a distressing experience for a 60-year-old British tourist.
Chris John Glennon, a wheelchair user from Northampton, had his vacation take a dark turn after an encounter that ended in theft and humiliation.
A Night Out Ends in a Costly Surprise
Chris had been enjoying the buzzing nightlife along Pattaya’s popular beachfront strip when he met three individuals—two women and a transgender woman—whom he later invited back to his hotel room at the Basaya Beach Hotel and Resort.
Everything seemed calm at first. As he got ready for a shower, the three lounged around the room.
But once Chris emerged, his world had been turned upside down.
The trio had vanished—and so had his cash.
Thefts Reported After Shower Surprise
According to hotel staff, Chris returned from the bathroom to find the room empty and his money gone.
Shocked and still shirtless, he rolled himself to the reception desk to report what had just happened.
The hotel quickly contacted the police and helped him file a formal complaint just after midnight.
Chris, who also has a speech disability, used his phone and the Google Translate app to explain the incident to officers.
The Missing Money and Fast-Acting Police
Police say the suspects made off with 6,000 Thai Baht (around £140), which Chris had planned to use as payment, as well as £150 in British notes he hadn’t yet exchanged.
The authorities acted quickly, pulling up security footage and gathering evidence from the hotel.
Two of the three individuals were identified thanks to ID cards they had left at reception—Thai woman Chantakarn Donlueam and transgender individual Ekkarat Marknok.
The third suspect didn’t hand over any ID, making her identification more difficult.
Hotel Staff Say Guest Was Familiar Face
Hotel employees confirmed that Chris was no stranger to the Basaya Beach Hotel.
He had booked online back in June and had been staying alone for several weeks.
Staff described him as polite and peaceful, mentioning that he occasionally had female visitors to his room during past stays but had never reported any issues until now.
“He’s always been a quiet guest,” one employee noted.
“We deliver food to his room, and there’s never been any trouble.”
Security Cameras Capture the Escape
CCTV footage appears to show all three suspects—described as looking feminine and aged between 25 and 30—fleeing the hotel room and running out onto the street. Only two had registered with their IDs.
The hotel has since handed over the footage to the police for further investigation.
Another staff member added, “From what we could see, the transgender woman was the one who took his money while he was in the shower.
The others bolted right after. It all happened so fast.”
Police on the Hunt and Asking for Help
Police Captain Anirut Jehrah confirmed that an investigation is underway and the suspects are being actively pursued.
He encouraged anyone who might recognize the individuals or has information about the incident to come forward.
“We’ve logged the case and are reviewing the CCTV.
The ID cards left behind have helped us identify two suspects, and we are working on tracking them down,” he said.
Pattaya’s Ongoing Reputation Battle
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Pattaya has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Known internationally for its nightlife and adult entertainment scene, the town has tried to clean up its image—but stories like this one serve as a reminder that crime and scams are still very present.
Despite being a tourist hotspot that welcomes millions each year, Pattaya remains plagued by incidents involving theft, scams, and sometimes violence—especially involving sex workers and intoxicated visitors.