Pattaya Beach cracks down on overnight sleeping and begging
Image: The Thaiger
Pattaya officials swept through the main beach yesterday targeting people sleeping overnight and telling tourists to stop giving money to beggars. Deputy Mayor Damrongkiat Pinijkarn led the operation along the beach strip in Bang Lamung district.
Here's what's actually going down: They're clearing people sleeping rough off the beach, but more importantly, they're going after organized begging rings. These aren't necessarily homeless people — some are part of networks that drop beggars off in tourist areas during peak hours.
The city's message to tourists is simple: don't give money to beggars on the beach. They say it encourages more people to come to the area and creates safety issues.
This Happens Every Few Months
This isn't Pattaya's first time dealing with this. The beach has had similar issues for years, especially around Walking Street and the main tourist zones. Officials run these operations periodically, but the problem tends to come back within a few months.
The homeless situation is complicated. Some people genuinely have nowhere else to go, while others are part of organized operations. The city says they're connecting people who need help with social services, but there aren't enough resources for everyone.
What This Means for Visitors
You'll probably see more police presence along the beach for the next few weeks. The begging situation might calm down temporarily, but these crackdowns don't solve the underlying issues long-term.
The beach should feel safer for walking around in the coming weeks. If you're staying near the beach, expect more police patrols in the evenings — this is normal after these operations.
Practical advice: Don't give money directly to beggars. If you want to help, donate to established charities or organizations working with homeless populations in the area.
The Bigger Picture
Pattaya's still working to rebuild its tourism industry post-COVID, and beach safety is part of that effort. The beach area is crucial for the local economy — most of the bars, restaurants, and hotels depend on tourists feeling comfortable walking around.
Whether these periodic crackdowns actually solve anything long-term is debatable, but they do temporarily change the vibe along the main tourist strip. The cycle tends to repeat every few months.
Source: Pattaya Beach operation targets homeless and beggars
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