PATTAYA
Local police launched a strict early-morning operation on Sunday, August 16th, to enforce traffic discipline and search for illegal weapons, targeting potential foreign racing groups that disrupt the community around the Soi Yensabai intersection.
Under the direction of Pol. Col. Anek Sathongyu, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Siriwat Kachamat, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation, and Pol. Lt. Col. Amorntep Maima, Traffic Inspector, officers moved quickly to restore order. They ordered Pol. Lt. Col. Supharuek Sodrum, Deputy Inspector of Investigation (PC60), working with the Pattaya 20 unit, to lead patrol officers and traffic personnel in setting up a checkpoint.
The operation focused on checking for traffic violations, illegal items, and firearms. The goal was to prevent groups from gathering to race motorcycles and cause public nuisance in the area.
Officers strictly enforced the rules and recorded the following arrests or fines:
– No helmet: 5 cases
– No driver’s license: 14 cases
– Incomplete vehicle equipment: 5 cases
No illegal items or weapons were found during the checks, and the situation remained normal.
Police stated that continuous enforcement and searches at high-risk spots are essential to deter groups of teenagers or foreign tourists from assembling to ride in ways that create trouble, panic, stress, and annoyance for residents. Many residents around South Pattaya have complained about groups of young foreign men racing around in the early morning hours, disrupting sleep and causing a nuisance, almost none with helmets or driving responsibly.
The measures help reduce road accidents, improve safety for both local people and tourists, and restore peace and order to the Soi Yen Sabai neighborhood. Without such checkpoints, authorities warned, illegal racing gatherings could increase, traffic rules might be ignored, leading to serious accidents and significant noise disturbances in the community.
“We will strictly enforce the law to keep Pattaya’s roads clean and safe for everyone,” officers stated.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Chonburi Provincial Police, Region 2 Police, and the Royal Thai Police to maintain public safety in the popular tourist city.
