PATTAYA, THAILAND – Authorities in Pattaya carried out a large-scale evening raid in central tourist districts to identify beggars, homeless people and foreign groups collecting money from holidaymakers with small children.
Coordinated action across agencies
The operation began on 4 December at around 6:30 p.m. in downtown Pattaya, led by Deputy Mayor Damrongkiat Pinijkarn together with Banglamung district deputy chief Natthaphop Yomjinda. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station, Chonburi Immigration Police, the social welfare office at Pattaya City Hall and staff from the Chonburi Provincial Centre for Protection and Quality of Life Development of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security took part.
Focus on tourist hotspots and complaint areas
Teams were deployed to several known problem locations, in particular Walking Street, the pavements along Beach Road and nearby entertainment areas frequented by many international visitors. According to the authorities, these were zones that had repeatedly been the subject of complaints from residents and business owners, where organised groups of beggars and homeless people had been observed in the past.
Alleged illegal entry and use of young children
The focus was mainly on people described by officials as predominantly nationals of Cambodia who had allegedly entered Thailand illegally and were begging on the streets. They often sat on the pavements holding children aged around four to seven years in their arms to sell flowers or ask passers-by directly for money, which officials described as an ongoing strain on the area. Authorities stressed that this practice harmed Pattaya’s image as a safe and orderly international holiday destination, was perceived as a disturbance and damaged the city’s reputation as a tourist-friendly resort.
Arrests and planned deportations
During the raid, several women with small children as well as other beggars were arrested. In all cases, officials found that those detained were in the country without valid entry documents, and they were brought to Pattaya City Police Station so their identities could be verified and cases formally recorded before being handed over to investigators to initiate proceedings under immigration and related laws and to prepare their deportation.
Campaign to bolster safety and city image
Pattaya City administration stated that the intensified checks were part of a broader campaign to improve public safety and order and enhance the city’s appearance.
“The aim is to present Pattaya as a clean, attractive and visitor-friendly destination in time for the high season.”
said city authorities. According to the responsible agencies, similar joint operations were to continue over the coming weeks, targeting beggars, homeless individuals and illegally arrived foreigners with children in the Walking Street, Beach Road and adjacent entertainment zones, using identity checks, law enforcement measures and planned deportations.