Pattaya —
Pattaya officials finally addressed public concerns about pushy beggars last night, having arrested around four individuals during a citywide sweeping operation.
More than 60 city officials, police officers, and immigration, including Wuttisak Rerkmakij, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, joined in an operation to inspect beggars yesterday, June 21st.
The operation came after multiple complaints from tourists and residents alike that beggars were causing annoyance among tourists by peddling flowers and candies. Some people were also concerned about alleged human trafficking and the exploitation of children by these beggars.
The deployed forces were divided into three teams to conduct inspections at three locations: the beachside area of Pattaya, Soi Buakhao, and Walking Street.
During the first inspection at the beachfront, Thai individuals wearing tattered clothing were found sitting on the pedestrian footpath along the beach, soliciting money.
Meanwhile, at Soi Buakhao, authorities approached a 42-year-old Vietnamese woman who was seen pushing flowers to tourists while holding the hand of a 7-year-old girl. When asked, the woman admitted she was selling roses from early evening until late at night and earned around 300-500 baht a day. She had been engaged in this activity for over 5 months.
The woman and the child were taken to the Pattaya Police Station.
At the last location, Walking Street, authorities arrested two beggars of unreported nationality. They also arrested another 34-year-old Cambodian woman with a 5-month-old infant for begging in front of Wat Chai.
In total, around four people were arrested for breaking laws around begging and visa and work permit related issues for migrants, as technically begging is considered “working.”
Deputy mayor Wuttisak warned people not to give money to beggars. He also urged people to promptly report any wrongdoings to the Social Assistance Center through the 24-hour hotline at 1300.
