PATTAYA, THAILAND – City officials, backed by national agencies, carried out a large-scale sweep along Pattaya Beach targeting homeless people, vagrants and beggars in a bid to bolster order, safety and the resort’s image as a tourist destination.
Joint operation launched from City Hall
The operation began at 10:00 a.m., when Darongkiat Phinitchakan, deputy mayor of Pattaya City, led a combined task force from the multipurpose yard in front of City Hall. The inspection team included Korn Phatthanasin, the mayor’s assistant, officers from the Chonburi Provincial Protection and Quality of Life Promotion Center under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), and other relevant agencies.
Beach patrols follow complaints
After leaving City Hall, the unit moved to Pattaya Beach, where officials patrolled public areas and enforced existing regulations. According to the city administration, the sweep followed numerous complaints from residents and tourists about a growing number of people sleeping in public spaces and being perceived as a nuisance.
20 people checked, different measures taken
During the checks, authorities registered 20 people classified as vagrants or homeless, including 12 men and 8 women. After recording their personal data, five people with a clear permanent residence, one man and four women, were ordered to leave the beach and instructed not to stay or live there any longer.
Transfers to welfare center, police and tourist police
Thirteen people, nine men and four women, were handed over to the Provincial Protection and Quality of Life Promotion Center to receive further care and support. One man with an outstanding arrest warrant was transferred to Pattaya City Police Station, while a male foreign national was taken to the Tourist Police to begin proceedings that were expected to end in deportation.
Repeat cases and ongoing patrols
According to the city administration, 12 cases, eight men and four women, involved repeat offenders who had already been identified and processed in earlier operations. Officials stressed that regular joint patrols with the responsible agencies would continue in order to ensure public safety, cleanliness and an orderly environment for residents and visitors.
Deputy mayor urges public not to give money
Deputy Mayor Darongkiat Phinitchakan called on the public and tourists to stop giving money to beggars, arguing that such donations made the situation worse rather than solving it.
“Donations made out of pity encourage repeat offences and help fuel ongoing public nuisances and safety concerns,”
said Darongkiat Phinitchakan, deputy mayor.
He pointed to around-the-clock hotlines such as 1337 and 1300, as well as Pattaya City Police Station, as contact points to report beggars and vagrants.