Yeah, right. Give me a break . . .

[Gaybutton]

Authorities launched the operation to curb these illegal activities and restore the city’s reputation.

What are they talking about? That IS the city's reputation . . .
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Pattaya Police Plan to Stomp Out Beachfront Prostitution, Over 50 People Arrested

By Adam Judd

May 22, 2025

On May 21st, 2025, at 9:06 PM, a joint operation led by Pol. Col. Anek Sathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, alongside Pol. Lt. Col. Siriwat Khachamat, Deputy Superintendent, and Pol. Lt. Col. Torlap Tinamat, Inspector of the Tourist Police, mobilized over 50 officers from various agencies, including Pattaya City Police, Pattaya Tourist Police, Immigration Police, Banglamung District Administrative officials, and Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security officers. The operation targeted a large-scale crackdown on prostitution along Pattaya’s beachfront.

The sweep was prompted by recurring incidents involving prostitutes, including both women and transgender individuals, who have been allegedly soliciting clients along the beachside walkways, often under coconut trees. These activities have frequently led to violent incidents and crimes, tarnishing Pattaya’s image as a premier tourist destination. Authorities launched the operation to curb these illegal activities and restore the city’s reputation.

The operation was divided into two teams: one tasked with arrests and another with containment. The arrest team swiftly moved in to apprehend suspects engaged in suspected prostitution activities, while the containment team monitored key locations and prevented escapes. Over 50 individuals were detained, though some managed to flee through nearby alleys.

All suspects were brought to Pattaya City Police Station for identification and documentation. They were subsequently handed over to Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security officials for legal processing and fines in accordance with the law.

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2025/05/22/p ... -arrested/

[Jun]

Authorities launched the operation to curb these illegal activities and restore the city’s reputation.

What are they talking about? That IS the city's reputation . . .

Despite that, I'm not sure that the beach front is the place to ply their trade. It creates a certain impression and lures all the fat & cheap Indian tourists to the beach path, creating a mobile obstruction.

Pattaya Police Plan to Stomp Out Beachfront Prostitution, Over 50 People Arrested

Only 50 ?
There must be about 500 of them on the main beach, but I suppose it's easy enough to run off when the police arrive.

The dozen or so near the police box on Jomtien beach are more of a nuisance, as they approach people who walk past. They should be the first to be arrested.

[Gaybutton]

Only 50 ?
There must be about 500 of them on the main beach

It doesn't matter - 50, 100, 500, 1000. How many of these "crackdowns" have we seen over the years? I lost count a long time ago. If this one is still happening a week from now, I'll be astounded.

[Gaybutton]

Anyone surprised?

the city races to preserve its tourism image

When did "Family Oriented" change to "Tourism Image"? How many families or even legitimate tourists are out there in the first place at the peak hours the prostitutes operate and the areas where they operate?

And who are these "authorities" trying to kid with this "image" nonsense? They're not trying to preserve an image (an image as far as I know Pattaya never had), they're trying to create one. And guess what, authorities - despite your efforts which now have been going on for years, it ain't workin'.
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‘They’ll be back under the same coconut tree within hours’ — Pattaya Police beachfront sweep falls flat, draws public mockery

By Pattaya Mail

May 23, 2025

In yet another highly publicized attempt to “clean up” Pattaya’s seedy underbelly, over 50 officers from Pattaya City Police Station, Tourist Police, Immigration, Banglamung District officials, and the Chonburi Social Development Department launched a late-night crackdown along Pattaya Beach on May 21. Their goal: to remove long-standing night escort workers — colloquially referred to by locals as the “coconut tree women” for their usual posts under the beachfront palms.

The operation aimed to restore Pattaya’s damaged image and prevent criminal incidents stemming from prostitution, which continues to flourish in the shadows despite years of enforcement efforts.

Authorities say they discovered a group of foreign nationals engaging in suspected prostitution and immediately fined them, collected their personal data, and entered it into a tracking system for “proactive safety planning.”

The sweeping patrol, which divided officers into capture and containment units, managed to detain more than 50 individuals — both women and transgender persons — who had been operating discreetly under the coconut trees for years.

But for all the police’s fanfare, much of the public reaction was cynical, if not outright mocking.

On Thai social media, users shared photos of the same familiar faces back under the trees within hours of the sweep, joking that the coconut trees must offer “diplomatic immunity” or be part of some magical revolving door. Some netizens dubbed it the “Groundhog Night of Pattaya,” where arrests are made, fines are paid, and the same cycle resumes nightly.

Critics also pointed out that these clean-up campaigns have been going on for over 40 years, with little sustainable impact. “The coconut tree ladies will outlive us all,” one commenter quipped.

Despite the ridicule, authorities insist this is part of a broader urgent policy to improve Pattaya’s public safety and reassure tourists. Citizens have been encouraged to report suspicious behavior via the Pattaya Police Facebook page or call the hotline at 082-7999-111 or 191, available 24 hours a day.

But as the city races to preserve its tourism image, the recurring spectacle raises a difficult question: Is this truly enforcement — or just theater under the palm trees?

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/theyll ... ery-501955

[Jun]

Minimum fine for offering services, 1000.

Now if they were paying tea money, presumably the payment needs to be set at a level which encourages recurring revenue rather than acts as a proper deterrent ?
There's obviously some reason why the police don't bother with enforcement.
The ladies on the main beach go all the way from the sewer up to and past the main police station.
In Jomtien, the handful of ladies also work right next to the police box. They are hardly hiding.

Whilst I obviously think prostitution should be allowed to continue & legalised, I still think blatantly touting for business on the main beach front should be stopped.
Also, those ladies who actively approach customers are a damn nuisance.
On the other hand, there may be a very small number of boys on Dongtan beach late at night & these never seem to approach anyone. The eye contact & smiles tell me they're looking for trade.

https://siam-legal.com/travel-to-thaila ... -thailand/

[Gaybutton]

The ladies on the main beach go all the way from the sewer

I would have left it at that . . .