Pattaya —
In an effort to combat illegal begging and maintain the city’s positive tourist image, Pattaya police conducted a joint operation on January 31st, 2024, apprehending 11 Cambodian beggars, including seven women and four children.
Led by Pol. Col. Naphatphong Kosit-suriyamanee, the Commander of Chonburi Provincial Immigration, and Pol. Col. Navin Thirawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, the operation involved a collaboration with Ms. Ratchanee Worarat, the Director of the Chonburi Homeless Protection Center. Officers were deployed to inspect various tourist hotspots in Pattaya, including markets, bar areas, and other frequented locations.
During the operation, authorities found several individuals engaged in begging activities. A total of 11 individuals, comprising seven Cambodian women and four children aged between 3 months to 3 years, were apprehended. Three of the women were identified as mother-child pairs. Confiscated items included water cups, begging bowls, and Thai and foreign currency.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that none of the apprehended individuals had legal entry records in Thailand’s Immigration System. They confessed to entering the country illegally through natural border crossings in Trat, Chanthaburi, and other provinces.
One of the apprehended beggars, Ms. Daa, a 36-year-old Cambodian woman, shared her story with officers. She revealed that she crossed the border illegally with her two young children after separating from her husband. They sneaked into Thailand in Chanthaburi before taking a minivan specifically to Pattaya. Ms. Daa told police she earned over 1,000 baht per day, sleeping in front of closed shops and relying on tourist compassion for survival. It was unclear why she was homeless despite earning more than enough to rent a small room.
All apprehended individuals face legal charges for illegal entry and violating the Begging Prevention Act. They will be detained until investigations are complete, followed by deportation. For individuals with children, they will be sent to a child welfare center for DNA testing to confirm their biological relationships. If discrepancies are found, human trafficking charges will be pursued, authorities said.
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