Outrage is spreading across Thailand following a violent and seemingly targeted assault on a Burmese couple in Ratchaburi Province. The attack, carried out by four masked Thai men, took place just after midnight on July 29, 2025, and has ignited fears of growing hate crimes against migrant workers.
The victims, Da Win (31) and her husband, were ambushed while riding their motorcycle to their night-shift jobs. The assault occurred in Moo 4, Ban Khong subdistrict of Photaram district, and was captured in full by CCTV cameras.
According to Da Win, who spoke through a Karen interpreter from her hospital bed, the couple encountered four masked men at the entrance to a narrow alley. As the men approached, she pleaded for mercy with a traditional Thai wai gesture and asked, “Are you sure you have the right people?” Her plea was ignored.
Security footage, now in police possession, shows one assailant dragging Da Win from the motorcycle and repeatedly kicking her. Meanwhile, two others used wooden sticks and metal knuckles to beat her husband severely. A fourth attacker joined the assault before the group fled on foot.
The couple was rushed to a hospital, where Da Win was diagnosed with a broken cheekbone, forehead lacerations, rib pain, and severe bruising. Her husband suffered chest and leg injuries. Remarkably, he managed to drive them to the hospital before collapsing. Both remain under medical care, though Da Win is reported to be in stable condition.
The couple reported the attack on July 30 at the Photaram Police Station. Officers have since prioritized the investigation and are working to identify the attackers using the CCTV footage and other leads. Authorities are also appealing to the public for information that might assist in tracking down the suspects.
Community leaders and rights activists have condemned the incident as potentially racially motivated. Thitipan Buaphu, the village head, called the assault “targeted and cruel,” adding that it reflects a dangerous level of prejudice. He urged stronger awareness campaigns to address discrimination against migrants.
Migrant workers, particularly those from Myanmar, are vital to Thailand’s workforce in industries like construction, agriculture, and fisheries. However, they often face discrimination, poor labor conditions, and, in some cases, violent hostility.
Human rights groups warn that the Ratchaburi attack is not an isolated case. In recent years, violent incidents involving migrant workers have risen. In 2024 alone, several attacks on Burmese nationals made headlines, including a murder in the same province. Many incidents, however, go underreported.
Thailand has a complicated history regarding the treatment of migrants. A 2013 report by the U.S. State Department documented widespread abuse of Burmese workers, including extortion and threats. High-profile cases like the 2014 Koh Tao double murder—which ended in the controversial conviction of two Burmese men—have placed Thailand’s legal system under international scrutiny.
Da Win’s case has once again brought these systemic issues to the forefront. Speaking from the hospital, she called on police to bring the attackers to justice and prevent similar crimes from occurring.
Local residents in Ratchaburi have expressed concern and shame over the attack. “People here are shocked and worried,” said one street vendor near the scene. “Everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter where they come from.”
As the police investigation continues, activists are calling for not only justice in this case but broader legal and social reforms. They advocate tougher penalties for hate crimes and more education to combat xenophobia and racial bias in Thai society.
The fate of Da Win and her husband now rests in the hands of both medical staff and law enforcement, but their story has already sparked nationwide discussion on the treatment and protection of migrant communities in Thailand.
