Correct.
I was a victim of a similar crime in Bangkok many years (20+) ago. Lower Sukhumvit of course.
Fortunately the transexual criminal did not get physically violent but threw my phone into the middle of Sukhumvit Road where it received only minor damage.
Lost count of the number of times they have tried to pickpocket me on the footbridge across Sukhumvit just up from Soi 23.
Not had any issues with them in Pattaya yet, but I don't go down Beach Road looking for brass at 1am in the morning any more.