PATTAYA — Twenty foreign nationals were arrested in the early hours of December 27 during a coordinated police operation targeting illegal prostitution along Pattaya’s famous beachfront.
The Tourist Police conducted the raid at 1:00 a.m. following mounting complaints from local residents and tourists about provocatively dressed women soliciting customers under the trees lining Pattaya Beach. Among those arrested were nine Ugandan, eight Uzbek, two Malagasy, and one Rwandan national, ranging in age from 26 to 51.
“This operation is part of our ongoing efforts to improve the image of Pattaya’s tourist areas, especially as we approach the New Year holiday season,” said a Tourist Police spokesperson.
The suspects reportedly confessed to traveling to Pattaya specifically to work in the sex trade, drawn by the city’s large foreign tourist population. They face charges under Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act for public solicitation and creating a nuisance.
Chonburi Immigration Police and Social Development officials are also involved in the case. Following the payment of fines through the Social Development office, immigration authorities will proceed with revoking the suspects’ visas and deporting them from Thailand.
The crackdown represents the latest effort by Thai authorities to clean up Pattaya’s image as a destination for sex tourism, a reputation that has long plagued the beachside resort city despite its attempts to rebrand as a family-friendly destination.
For decades, Pattaya has struggled to balance its nightlife entertainment industry with efforts to attract a broader range of international tourists. Local officials say they will continue enforcement actions to maintain order along the beachfront area, particularly during the upcoming peak tourist season.
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