Pattaya businesses backs discarded proposal for Chinese police patrols in Thailand

Pattaya Nightlife Business Association chairwoman Lamphueng Hamilton expressed her support for a now-discarded proposal for Chinese police officers to patrol popular tourist areas in Thailand.

The proposal, originally mooted by the Thai government, has since been unequivocally dismissed. However, several Pattaya-based private tourism operators continue to champion the idea. Their support stems from a notable decrease in Chinese visitors, which they believe could be rectified by such a measure.

Lamphueng, also known as Lisa, shared her perspective with the Thai media yesterday. According to Hamilton, inviting Chinese police officers to patrol tourist hubs in Pattaya could be highly beneficial. She believes that this collaboration could enhance safety standards and thereby increase the confidence of Chinese visitors.

Lamphueng shared that her conversations with friends in China revealed a concerning trend. Many potential Chinese tourists have been cautioned about travelling to Thailand, an advisory that could significantly impact the tourism sector.

She further argued that the collaboration between the two countries’ law enforcement could greatly improve safety for Chinese tourists. Lamphueng highlighted that Chinese police maintain a database of criminals who may have fled to Thailand to engage in illegal activities. Their presence, therefore, could help to curb such activities.

Lamphueng also posited that the presence of Chinese police in Thailand could potentially attract high-quality businesses and tourists, leading to a surge in arrivals. This, she believes, could also strengthen the bilateral relationship between Thailand and China, reported Pattaya News.

Despite the potential benefits outlined by Lamphueng and other supporters, the proposal has been decisively rejected by senior Thai leaders. This includes the Chief of the Thailand Police, who expressed concerns that such a measure could infringe on Thailand’s sovereignty.

In related news, Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol stressed there will be no policy allowing Chinese police to participate in the protection of Chinese tourists in Thailand. She firmly believes in the potential of Thai police to instil confidence and does not anticipate any negative impact on the number of Chinese tourists. Read more about this story HERE.