Pattaya —
Police from the Chonburi Provincial Police, Banglamung District, and Pattaya City held a meeting this week with security guards from entertainment venues in Pattaya to address concerns about tourist safety following a recent incident in which two foreign tourists were brutally assaulted by security guards.
A video of the meeting and English commentary can be found on our YouTube here.
The meeting, held at Pattaya City Hall on June 6th, was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchakiat Jinda Kuansanong, Commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police. He was joined by Banglamung District Chief Weekit Manarojkit, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches, Pattaya Police Superintendent Pol. Col. Navin Teerawit, and other officials.
Representatives from the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association, the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, and the Pattaya Tourist Police Volunteers were also present, along with 300 nightclub owners and security guards.
The meeting was held in response to the previous viral physical altercation between bar guards and two foreign customers on Soi 6, where one foreigner was brutally kicked in the head after getting knocked down. However, the tourist, who is pursuing legal action against his assailant, was not seriously injured, The Pattaya News noted.
According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchakiat, security guards must strictly adhere to the “5 Free” policy for entertainment venues, which includes:
- Free from children: Employees of entertainment venues must be 18 years old or older, and customers must be 20 years old or older.
- Free from drugs: The venues must not allow illegal drugs on the premises.
- Free from weapons: The venues must not allow weapons on the premises.
- Free from human trafficking: The venues must not engage in human trafficking activities.
- Free from harm: The venue must provide a safe environment for customers. This includes having adequate security measures in place, such as CCTV cameras and fire exits.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchakiat also clarified the roles and responsibilities of security guards at entertainment venues. He emphasized that security guards “are not law enforcement officers and must never engage in violence against customers.” Instead, they should try to resolve any incidents in a peaceful way or promptly call the police if the situation escalates beyond their control.
