PATTAYA, THAILAND – Police detained 16 foreign street sex workers in a night-time raid and began deportation proceedings in a move aimed at tightening order and protecting the city’s tourism image ahead of Songkran.
Beach raid nets 16 arrests in one night
Police in Pattaya arrested 16 foreign women late on 9 April during a coordinated operation. The raids focused on Pattaya Beach and nearby streets.
Officers concentrated on Beach Road and Pattaya Second Road in the Nong Prue area, described as central tourism zones. Authorities visibly increased checks directly in public spaces.
Joint operation by tourist police, immigration and social services
The operation was ordered, according to a report, by Pol. Lt. Col. Prabda Suksuntree of the Tourist Police Bureau. An investigative unit from Tourist Police Station 4 was then deployed.
At the same time, officers coordinated with the Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office and the Chonburi Immigration Office. Together they inspected heavily frequented tourist areas.
Charges under prostitution law target public solicitation
According to the information provided, the women came predominantly from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uganda. They were accused of violating Section 5 of the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.
The offence covered approaching or contacting people for prostitution in public, as well as leading or harassing them for that purpose. The measures were therefore explicitly directed against visible street solicitation.
Fines, visa cancellation and detention pending deportation
After the arrests, the suspects were processed step by step. First, 12 women were issued fines of 1,000 baht each by social officials, according to the report.
Immigration authorities then revoked their permission to stay. The women were to be held in custody until deportation.
One person had allegedly overstayed her visa and was transferred to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action. Her case was to proceed separately from the administrative fines.
Three cases pending, all 16 to be deported
For three other suspects, administrative procedures were still under way, according to officials. Their visas were in the process of being revoked so they could also be detained and prepared for return.
Authorities confirmed that ultimately all 16 women were to be deported. In each case, immigration measures went hand in hand with the prostitution-related allegations.
Songkran trigger: authorities seek order and tourism image
The raid formed part of broader security measures in Pattaya around the Songkran festival. Officials justified the action as an effort to maintain order and protect the city’s image as a tourist destination.
Because Songkran traditionally drew large numbers of visitors, the authorities increased their presence in key areas. They announced that checks and joint operations would continue throughout the holiday period.
Part of wider pattern after Bangkok and earlier Pattaya actions
The latest raid followed similar actions elsewhere in Thailand. In Pattaya the previous week, 31 transgender street workers had been detained, questioned and then released.
Instead of charges, there were formal warnings, while monitoring of the areas continued. On 20 March in Bangkok, 15 African sex workers were arrested in a coordinated raid and deported after immigration procedures.
Taken together, these cases showed a pattern of targeted enforcement against foreign street prostitution. Authorities framed the approach as consistent with existing law and immigration rules.
More patrols amid crime reports and economic pressure
Officials also pointed to recurring incidents in tourist zones, including street fights, robbery and fraud schemes. Along key roads, scammers were said to have repeatedly targeted tourists, prompting an expansion of visible patrols.
Tourism businesses reported a decline in bookings, which was partly linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite economic pressure, Pattaya remained a major destination, and authorities opted for highly visible public-order measures.
Controls through Songkran, immediate action on violations
Police stated that inspections would continue throughout the Songkran period, with ongoing cooperation between tourist police, immigration and social agencies. In the event of violations, immediate measures were announced.
These included fines, visa revocation, detention and deportation. The names of those arrested were not released, and further arrests were not initially confirmed, although operational teams remained active in central Pattaya.
Background: previous Songkran unrest and focus on private security
According to the report, Pattaya had seen an increase in street fights and disturbances during Songkran last year, including disputes over unwanted water splashing. There were also mentions of rough behaviour by bar staff in parts of the red-light scene.
This reportedly prompted police to intensify checks on private security personnel, particularly around Walking Street. The current operation was presented as part of a broader effort to more strictly monitor public order in nightlife hot spots.