Pattaya police detains illegal immigrant beggars

Police in Pattaya detained several illegal immigrant beggars yesterday, September 27, to preserve the city’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.

Beginning at 6pm, Chon Buri Immigration, Pattaya City officials, and the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office launched a coordinated crackdown targeting illegal immigrants begging in high-traffic tourist areas.

Officials inspected locations around Wat Chaimongkol on Pattaya Second Road and along Pattaya Beach, both popular spots for tourists. The police reported that immigrants had been using these areas to solicit money from tourists, which was causing annoyance and damaging the city’s image.

Some beggars were found with small children, raising suspicions that the children might not belong to them and could be victims of a human trafficking network. Other beggars included elderly individuals and some who appeared disabled, aiming to evoke sympathy from passersby. They would sit on sidewalks, reaching out for money as tourists walked by.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that these individuals were illegal immigrants without the necessary documentation to be in Thailand. Seven suspects were taken into custody. In a few cases, officers found that some individuals were living comfortably together in a rental house.

Initial inspections revealed that four of the suspects were illegal immigrants. One was found to be working without a work permit, while the others had entered and stayed in Thailand illegally. They were all handed over to the relevant authorities for deportation, reported Pattaya News.

In related news, police apprehended 10 Cambodian beggars, including children, and are preparing to deport them. The police urge Thai citizens not to give money to beggars, revealing that children are often exploited in such operations.

In other news, Thailand’s bustling streets are teeming with beggars, and the latest statistics reveal a startling trend: nearly 30% of them are foreigners. Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa addressed a surge of complaints on social media about the growing presence of beggars, especially outside Bangkok’s major shopping malls.