Kuwaitis back in Pattaya

[Gaybutton]

Even more trouble with the Kuwaitis. I no longer believe tea money has anything to do with it. I can't imagine enough tea money being paid to keep the authorities looking the other way. I don't understand why this behavior continues to be tolerated. And sorry, but it will be very difficult to convince me that tea money is behind all of this. If it really does turn out to be tea money, then somebody demanded it and accepted it. I would not want to be in that person's shoes if he is ever caught. I also would not want to be in the shoes of whoever is paying the tea money. I think this has gone way beyond tea money.
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Late-Night Brawl Among Kuwaiti Tourists in Pattaya Alarms Locals and Tourists

By Aim Tanakorn

8 August, 2024




A brawl among Kuwaiti tourists erupted in Pattaya on the late night of August 7th but was quickly quelled by police.

At 11:06 PM on August 7th, 2024, Pattaya Police were alerted to a brawl occurring on Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. Police quickly dispatched patrol officers to the scene.

Upon arrival, authorities found two large groups of Kuwaiti tourists, each about 20 people, engaged in a heated argument and attempting to attack each other. Fortunately, officers were able to intervene in time and prevent violence. Eyewitnesses captured the chaos on video, which was handed over to the authorities as evidence.

Restaurant staff nearby (name withheld upon request) told The Pattaya News reporters that the incident began when two groups of Middle Eastern tourists, seated at separate tables, started arguing. The situation escalated as both groups attempted to punch each other, but restaurant employees managed to initially stop the fight. However, the groups soon gathered in the alley and began arguing again, prompting employees to call the police.

The incident caused significant alarm among local residents and tourists in the area.

In a previous altercation between Thai nationals and Kuwaiti nationals in the same area Pattaya police promised to deport major foreign offenders.

The South Pattaya area around Soi Yensabai has seen problems and issues for weeks as hundreds of Kuwaiti students, like every year, come to Pattaya during their annual school holidays. Many of the complaints center around the foreigners usage of motorbikes and racing at all hours of the morning as we report here.

Most of the Kuwaiti tourists are set to return to school at the end of August, but this still leaves almost three weeks of potential incidents, notes TPN media.

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2024/08/08/l ... -tourists/

[Jun]

Even more trouble with the Kuwaitis. I no longer believe tea money has anything to do with it. I can't imagine enough tea money being paid to keep the authorities looking the other way.

How about the hypothesis that they're too busy collecting tea money to bother with policing the riff raff ?

Also, the idea that the police might prosecute someone for paying bribes to the police seems improbable.
That would discourage payment of bribes, which is the last thing they want.

[Gaybutton]

How about the hypothesis that they're too busy collecting tea money to bother with policing the riff raff ?

Believe that if you want to, but I don't. There is far too much going on, too many complaints from the locals, and too much publicity for me to accept the idea that all this comes down to tea money. That doesn't explain it to me. I don't know what does explain it, but in my opinion tea money is nowhere near enough of an explanation for me to accept.

Tea money has always paid for authorities to look the other way for mainly minor violations. But the Kuwaiti problem has escalated far beyond that, especially since violence and serious injuries are now factors.

If the explanation really is tea money, who is paying it, who is accepting it, and who is instructing the police to mostly look the other way? Tea money? I don't buy it. Too farfetched and too simple an explanation for me.

Whatever explains it, the very fact that this goes on year after year and the problems escalate year after year, to me the most important question is when will the authorities finally say enough is enough and seriously put a stop to it? Are they going to do anything proactive to prevent this from happening yet again next year? Why am I not holding my breath about that . . . ?

[Gaybutton]

This was a stupid thing for this man to do, but I also question the stupidity of the media constantly referring to these Kuwaiti's as tourists. I can think of all kinds of ways to refer to them, but tourists? That word doesn't remotely define why they are in Thailand. The only thing they're touring is local streets at high speed recklessness.
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Pattaya Police Arrest Thai Man Who Threatened Kuwaiti Tourists with a Gun

By Aim Tanakorn

11 August, 2024

A Thai man in Pattaya was arrested by police after threatening Kuwaiti tourists with a gun. He claimed his actions were motivated by seeing a social media post about Kuwaiti tourists physically assaulting a Thai national the previous week.

Mr. Natthaphan Wanthanaweepat, 40, was apprehended by Pattaya Police at 2:00 AM today, August 11th, 2024. He was arrested along with a .38 caliber revolver and a 9mm blank gun, on Soi Korpai in South Pattaya, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province.

The arrest followed a complaint from Kuwaiti tourists who reported that a Thai man, approximately 35-40 years old, had threatened them with a gun. Authorities identified and located Mr. Natthaphan quickly after reviewing CCTV footage.

During interrogation, Mr. Natthaphan reportedly admitted to owning the weapons but claimed they had originally been left with him by someone else. The police, unconvinced by his explanation, detained him for further legal action.

Mr. Natthaphan stated that his anger toward the Kuwaiti tourists was fueled by a social media post regarding an altercation between a large group of Kuwaiti tourists and a Thai man over a traffic dispute last week. He said he wanted to use the gun to intimidate the tourists but claimed he did not plan to cause real harm.

Mr. Natthaphan is undergoing legal proceedings as of press time.

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2024/08/11/p ... ith-a-gun/

[SP55]

It sounds to me like this problem has gone totally out of control due to lack of firm action by the authorities.

[Gaybutton]

It sounds to me like this problem has gone totally out of control due to lack of firm action by the authorities.

And yet rather than a strict major enforcement of what these Kuwaitis are doing, instead this apparently is more important.
It took me a few moments to finish having my little laugh when I read the last paragraph.
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Pattaya police intensify crackdown on traffic light violations at pedestrian crossings

By Pattaya Mail

August 11, 2024

Pattaya police have initiated a rigorous enforcement campaign targeting motorists and motorcyclists who violate traffic signals at pedestrian crossings, addressing a dangerous trend that poses significant risks to both life and property.

The campaign began on August 9, with a traffic enforcement operation outside Pattaya City Hall on North Pattaya Road, an area notorious for traffic signal violations. Pol. Lt. Col. Phanupong Nimsuwan, Chief of the Pattaya Traffic Police, expressed concern over the frequency of incidents where drivers blatantly ignore traffic signals at pedestrian crossings near the city hall.

“This marks the first day of a more aggressive approach to traffic regulation,” Pol. Lt. Col. Phanupong stated. “Our goal is to identify and target other high-risk areas in Pattaya where violations are common, ensuring that similar enforcement measures are applied to prevent road accidents.”

The public reaction to this crackdown has been largely positive, with many residents and tourists sharing their own experiences with Pattaya’s traffic issues. One local commenter highlighted the confusion tourists face when vehicles fail to stop at pedestrian crossings, calling on authorities to repair broken crossing lights along the beachfront.

Another resident voiced concerns about the Soi Buakhao intersection on Central Road, noting that motorcyclists often stop for pedestrians only to be rear-ended by following vehicles. While many have praised the enforcement efforts, there is also a strong call for public awareness campaigns to promote safer driving habits.

Despite the support, the initiative has also sparked frustration over other unresolved traffic issues in Pattaya, such as illegal parking on Second Road and congestion caused by parked vehicles. Residents are urging authorities to extend stricter enforcement to key intersections and pedestrian crossings across the city, reflecting a broader demand for improved road safety.

Pol. Lt. Col. Phanupong assured the public, stating, “The Pattaya Traffic Police are committed to continuing these efforts, addressing the community’s concerns, and ensuring that traffic laws are strictly enforced to protect both drivers and pedestrians.”

Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattay ... ngs-468386

[Jun]

Pattaya police intensify crackdown on traffic light violations at pedestrian crossings

About time.
Can't they just install cameras at every pedestrian crossing with lights and just send the fine to the registered keeper of the vehicle ?
He then has to pay the fine or declare who the driver was.

This works elsewhere in the world.

[Gaybutton]

Can't they just install cameras at every pedestrian crossing with lights

The only traffic laws I have ever seen the police routinely enforcing are motorbike riders without helmets. Even that enforcement is sporadic. Most other traffic laws seem to at best be selectively enforced, but more often simply ignored.

I expect this "crackdown" will be as short lived as most of the rest of the "crackdowns" - maybe a week or two and then enforcement just fizzles out. We'll see.

[Jun]

The only traffic laws I have ever seen the police routinely enforcing are motorbike riders without helmets. Even that enforcement is sporadic. Most other traffic laws seem to at best be selectively enforced, but more often simply ignored.

Even when they have a road block for checking traffic, they allow motorcyclists without helmets to pass straight through.

Do Pattaya Police enforce any laws on a consistent & formal basis ?
After all, once they have established a portfolio of bribe paying businesses, where's the motivation to do anything that doesn't result in tea money ?

[Gaybutton]

Do Pattaya Police enforce any laws on a consistent & formal basis ?

As far as I know, immigration does - at least when their officers can keep up with the changes every two minutes. Other than that, nothing springs to mind.