Homeless woman sent to rehab after using drugs on Pattaya Beach
A Thai journalist yesterday visited Pattaya Beach for a photoshoot but ended up witnessing a more dramatic scene when a homeless woman was arrested for drug use on the beach.
Channel 3 reported that the journalist, whose identity remains undisclosed, arrived at Pattaya Beach yesterday afternoon, December 19, and saw a group of lifeguards gathered around a homeless woman. The woman, later identified as 52 year old Samai, was sitting on a blue mat surrounded by several bags and personal belongings.
The lifeguards were heard shouting at the woman, asking her to stop using drugs, especially in public places. Some foreign tourists, who had been sunbathing, turned their attention to the incident.
One of the lifeguards, Palat Pawatananchote, later told Matichon that he was patrolling the beach as usual when he detected the smell of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba. He traced the source of the smell until he encountered Samai who was openly using drugs.
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were later called to the scene. They searched Samai and found drug paraphernalia with traces of Yaba on a foil sheet.
Samai admitted to using drugs and explained that she bought two tablets of Yaba and came to the beach to relax.
“I came to the beach thinking the the closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm.”
Unfortunately, Pattaya Beach could not offer safety to Samai, and she was taken to a rehabilitation facility at Bang Lamung District Office.
In a related incident reported in September, another homeless woman was seen sitting on a roadside in Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, using drugs in front of many passersby. She often displayed harmful behaviour, such as playing with fire while under the influence of drugs.
Additionally, the woman caused a mess by urinating and defecating at the spot where she sat. Locals in the area urged the police to take action to prevent further danger and protect the reputation of Pattaya’s tourism. No further updates on the police’s actions have been reported.
