Pattaya sweeps streets of homeless to ‘clean’ up its act for tourists

Pattaya City officials took to the streets yesterday, October 7, in a bid to clear homeless hotspots and maintain the city’s pristine image for tourists. The sweep targeted key areas, including the Bali Hai overpass, the Thappraya junction on Pattaya Third Road, and Pattaya Second Road, where they encountered 10 homeless individuals.

The initiative, designed to keep Pattaya attractive to visitors while offering support to the homeless, resulted in mixed reactions. While four individuals agreed to receive help and were transferred to the Chon Buri Homeless Protection Centre, six others turned down the offer, a city official explained, reaffirming the city’s commitment to help.

“Assisting those in need is a crucial part of our responsibility.”

Under the Homeless Protection Act of 2014, the individuals who refused help were issued formal warnings, and their details were logged for future monitoring. This approach highlights the delicate balance between offering aid and enforcing order.

“This partnership allows us to provide effective aid and ensure a safe environment for both residents and visitors.”

Pattaya’s efforts to address homelessness serve a dual purpose—offering compassion while preserving the city’s image as a top-tier tourist destination. But with more than half of the individuals resisting assistance, authorities face an uphill battle in ensuring the streets remain both welcoming and safe, reported Pattaya Mail.

In related news, a woman in Pattaya has been seen openly using illegal drugs on the bustling Soi Buakhao, raising concerns among locals and tourists. A Facebook user recently shared images of the woman, who appears to be homeless, sitting by the roadside with drug paraphernalia in one hand and a lighter in the other.

In other news, a recent TikTok video revealed the heart-wrenching scene of an elderly man sleeping in a sack on the pavement, enduring cold and mosquito bites. The video, posted by @hengpusit, captures the plight of the vagrant in Ban Phai, Khon Kaen.