Tourist Police prepare to protect Chinese from Pattaya’s crimes

Now that China has lifted travel restrictions on its citizens, Pattaya Tourist Police are preparing to protect Chinese tourists from the city’s crimes.

The chief of Tourist Police Station 4 said yesterday that the lift on Chinese travel restrictions might result in a crime rise in the area. Tourist Police will start patrolling high-risk spots such as Walking Street, South Pattaya, and Beach Road every day from 9pm to 3am. The chief, Pol. Lt. Col. Pichaya Kheawpluang, said this especially aims to deter crimes by transgender people allegedly involved in many recent petty crimes against tourists.

Pichaya urges all tourists to download the app Police I Lert U. The app allows people to send their location to police very quickly, as opposed to calling them. It also allows people to send photos to the police.

Tourists are also advised to contact the 1155 Hotline Center, which provides help for issues such as exploitation or overpriced items. The centre provides assistance in English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic. It is staffed 24 hours a day, The Pattaya News reported.

A renowned nightlife hotspot, Pattaya has a notable problem with thefts against tourists.

This week, two Russian men filed complaints with the police after nearly 140,000 baht disappeared from safety boxes in a hotel in Pattaya.

Last week, a burglar snatched almost 100,000 baht from a Hong Kong tourist’s rented Pattaya villa, according to the victim. The victim’s villa is located in Jomtien Beach.

Last year, Pattaya became notorious for several thefts by ladyboys against tourists, particularly Indian tourists.

Last month, transgender thieves stole a wallet with 2,000 baht in cash, and a mobile phone that cost about 10,000 baht, from a 50 year old Indian expat and restaurant owner on Pattaya Beach Road.

A Russian tourist also had their gold necklace stolen by ladyboys in Pattaya on the beach outside Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya Shopping Centre.

Will Tourist Police’s efforts help protect Chinese tourists from Pattaya’s crime infestation? We’ll see.