Pattaya suspends six over tourist cash claims

Pattaya City has suspended six people from duty after complaints that tourists near Bali Hai Pier were asked to pay between 2,000 and 3,000 baht without receiving official fine documents or receipts.

The allegations concern people dressed as Pattaya City special affairs officers, who reportedly took tourists into a tent and accused them of offences including loud motorcycle exhausts and smoking. Pattaya's city secretary has stressed that while officers may have powers to detain people, they do not have authority to impose fines.

At 10.30am on 10 August 2026, Pattaya City Secretary Kiatthisak Sriwongchai said the city had learned of the complaint on 9 August and immediately opened an investigation. Those involved reported their information that morning, after which the matter was sent to the deputy mayor directly responsible and reported to the Pattaya mayor.

Six people removed from duties

Initial checks place the alleged incident at about 9am on 9 August at the Blue Zone car park at Bali Hai Pier.

Six people have been identified: three Pattaya City personnel, including three municipal enforcement officers shown in images, plus three outsourced workers hired by the city to help maintain order in the area.

All six have been temporarily removed from their assigned duties while the facts are examined. A reporter who visited the area said they saw operations taking place and filmed a tourist placing cash on an officials' table. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the money was a fine or paid for another purpose.

Pattaya City will take two tracks: the responsible department head will prepare a record for a police complaint if criminal wrongdoing is found, while a fact-finding committee will be appointed under official procedures.

Although such inquiries can normally take up to 60 days and be extended twice, city management has instructed officials to finish this one within around two weeks. The contractor employing the outsourced workers will also be called in, while state officials involved may be transferred away from their current area during the process.

Exhaust noise is not a city fine

Kiatthisak said enforcement over loud motorcycle exhausts is not directly Pattaya City's responsibility. Such cases must be handled under relevant laws, including the Public Nuisance Act or Motor Vehicle Act, by agencies with the authority to do so, notably police and the Department of Land Transport.

The investigation will therefore focus on whether the cash demands were made under legal authority, whether proper paperwork or receipts were issued, and what status any money paid to the officials had.

For foreign residents and visitors, the case is a reminder to ask for official documentation for any alleged fine and to be cautious about handing over cash without a receipt. Pattaya City said reports of similar conduct can be made to its 1337 hotline.

Kiatthisak apologised to residents and tourists, saying the city has consistently instructed its staff to act properly and does not want official conduct to cause hardship or damage Pattaya's tourism image. The city said no final finding has yet been made on whether unlawful collection of money occurred.

Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

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11 August 2026