Foreigners arrested for swimming at beach in Pattaya

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Foreigners arrested for swimming at beach in Pattaya

 

Images: SiamChon

 

A Ukrainian and two Russian nationals were arrested on Saturday after being caught swimming in the sea off a beach in Pattaya.

 

The three foreigners were spotted swimming behind the Asia Hotel by municipal officers who told them to get out of the water.

 

The foreigners reportedly ignored the warning so the officers contacted the police.

 

 

The three were taken to Pattaya police station where they face charges of violating Thailand’s emergency decree.

 

On Thursday, officials in Pattaya ordered the closure of the resort’s beaches as a measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Members of the public are no longer allowed to enter the beach or going swimming.

 

Anyone found violating the order faces a fine of up to 100,000 baht or up to one year in jail.

 

Source: Siam Chon News

 

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[ukrules]

I wonder how much 'bail' they will need to pay if they're kept out after the curfew begins?

[Sujo]

Wonder if they paid 2000bht for the ride in the pickup.

[OnTheGround]

After all media attention + big signs everywhere + a warning ...still they didn't leave the water?How stupid can they be?

Let them get a hefty fine. Can't help stupid people.

 

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, OnTheGround said:

After all media attention + big signs everywhere + a warning ...still they didn't leave the water?How stupid can they be?

Let them get a hefty fine. Can't help stupid people.

 

 

 

 

+1

 

 

Som Nom Nar.

[mauGR1]

This is getting beyond ridiculous, is this part of the plan of luring the tourists ?

[hotandsticky]

Just now, mauGR1 said:

This is getting beyond ridiculous, is this part of the plan of luring the tourists ?

 

 

So you approve of their behaviour.... ?

 

 

Personally, I would take a positive view of the authorities actually enforcing laws that are there for the protection of others. 

[ianezy0]

The warnings are clear to see, in all languages.

Also, very apt when you see the ‘Take Away’ sign behind the policemans head!

Edited May 9, 2020 by ianezy0

[mauGR1]

6 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

So you approve of their behaviour.... ?

 

 

Personally, I would take a positive view of the authorities actually enforcing laws that are there for the protection of others. 

No, i am not in favour of breaking the laws, personally i would not risk a heavy fine.

But closing a beach, and ban people from swimming makes no sense to me.

Oh, and pestering the last 10 tourists left in Thailand make even less sense.

Edited May 9, 2020 by mauGR1

[ThailandRyan]

13 minutes ago, OnTheGround said:

After all media attention + big signs everywhere + a warning ...still they didn't leave the water?How stupid can they be?

Let them get a hefty fine. Can't help stupid people.

 

Exactly, because ignorance of the law is like slapping the Thai Government in the face.  Stupid is as stupid does. Not sure but they may just not care about laws....

[hotandsticky]

6 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

No, i am not in favour of breaking the laws, personally i would not risk a heavy fine.

But closing a beach, and ban people from swimming makes no sense to me.

Oh, and pestering the last 10 tourists left in Thailand make even less sense.

 

 

I am not a fan of the rule either, it would make more sense to segregate and then control gatherings..... more time-consuming but a better step towards restoring normality. BUT, there is only one side at fault in this situation

Edited May 9, 2020 by hotandsticky

[mauGR1]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I am not a fan of rule either, it would make more sense to segregate and control gatherings..... more time-consuming but a better step towards restoring normality. BUT, there is only one side at fault in this situation

Today i saw a line of people waiting for free food. Mostly having no masks, no social distancing too, but surely i can understand that they have no money to pay fines.

Perhaps it's all ok for you and some other, but this double standard is not doing much for this country's reputation.

[richard_smith237]

Its the sanctimonious outrage directed at foreigners which seems to be, well, for want of a better word, outrageous !

 

I wonder how many motorcyclists riding without a helmet passed the Police officers while they arrested this couple.

Isn't it supposed to be illegal for passengers to travel in the back of a pickup? (but often ignored).

 

 

Ok, so the foreigners are breaking a regulation, quite probably along with a multitude of Thai folk congregating along beach road (as many other threads have shown). However, surely the BiB can simply send them on their way rather than carrying on as these visitors have just committed bank robbery.

 

The disproportionate response highlights the lack of balance and forethought going on at this time, especially when we see the 'food bank' lines etc where people are congregating.

 

At a time like this the Police need be out, Policing in more of a supportive and guiding role rather than taking these draconian and somewhat targeted (at foreigners) response.

Edited May 9, 2020 by richard_smith237

[Destiny1990]

22 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

This is getting beyond ridiculous, is this part of the plan of luring the tourists ?

They will never go back here again...and back home their case will get media attention and discouraging others from visiting.. 

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Destiny1990

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its the sanctimonious outrage directed at foreigners which seems to be, well, for want of a better word, outrageous !

 

I wonder how many motorcyclists riding without a helmet passed the Police officers while they arrested this couple.

Isn't it supposed to be illegal for passengers to travel in the back of a pickup? (but often ignored).

 

 

Ok, so the foreigners are breaking a regulation, quite probably along with a multitude of Thai folk congregating along beach road (as many other threads have shown). However, surely the BiB can simply send them on their way rather than carrying on as these visitors have just committed bank robbery.

 

The disproportionate response highlights the lack of balance and forethought going on at this time, especially when we see the 'food bank' lines etc where people are congregating.

 

At a time like this the Police need be out, Policing in more of a supportive and guiding role rather than taking these draconian and somewhat targeted (at foreigners) response.

 

 

Once again you appear to be picking and choosing which pieces of law you support.  Not your choice.

 

Pathetic if you are condoning this law breaking which is designed (rightly or wrongly - not YOUR choice)  to protect others. These people were warned and continued to offend. Yes, I would take the same view to helmets.... it is the law.

[Andrew23]

Arrest them, jail them and let the whole world know how fairly Thailand enforces their laws . That should bring more tourists in the future for sure. Paradise under the gun.

Edited May 9, 2020 by Andrew23

[swerve]

They are stupid and arrogant.  Take their money.

[mfd101]

Nothing to do with coronavirus. Authorities are worried about swimmers getting hepatitis.

[Andrew23]

41 minutes ago, OnTheGround said:

After all media attention + big signs everywhere + a warning ...still they didn't leave the water?How stupid can they be?

Let them get a hefty fine. Can't help stupid people.

 

Quite easy actually. The only thing you need is just don't speak english at all. 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Andrew23

[Davo369]

Good job they was wearing there face masks, otherwise another big fine.... 

I wonder if they was wearing there face masks when swimming ????????

[richard_smith237]

19 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Once again you appear to be picking and choosing which pieces of law you support.  Not your choice.

 

Pathetic if you are condoning this law breaking which is designed (rightly or wrongly - not YOUR choice)  to protect others. These people were warned and continued to offend. Yes, I would take the same view to helmets.... it is the law.

 

Fair point....  I have been guilty of 'picking and choosing which pieces of law I support'.... Unfortunately, this is exactly what the Police seem to be doing and this is why I have opinion on the sanctimonious manner in which the law is enforced in some areas and not others, particularly when foreigners are involved.

 

I'm not condoning the law breaking. I'm criticizing the disproportionate approach to the enforcement. To use your words 'pathetic', it is if you chose the sanctimonious ground in the face of what is likely to become 'extortion' as with the octogenarian Frenchman who was arrested on beach-road and extorted out of 50,000 baht.

 

Arresting these folk is a huge over-reaction. Take their details and send them on their way is all that is necessary. Do you really think Thai's would also be arrested?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by richard_smith237

[Davo369]

The police have been very quiet recently with there tea money. 

So on that note they are gonna be going on the rampage on fines

[darksidedog]

Mixed thoughts really, as they are dumb off the bat, for either not knowing or ignoring current rules.

As such they should suffer the consequences. Ignorance is no defense after all.

Taken into that is that the edict about the beach, where people can keep distance seems disproportionate to needs.

I don't know if locals are taking a dip, without such knowledge hard to know if the cops are being excessive because they are "farang", or being equal.

Stories of locals transgressing though are surprisingly (LOL) infrequent and you can take your own conclusions from why we heard about this one.

Regardless, demonising the very people you need to come back in numbers in the minds of the locals is not the wisest policy, given the revenue needed.

[473geo]

Police do right nip this in the bud, the swimmers had clearly ignored polite request to leave, subsequently brought to the attention of the police, given little choice once the complaint was filed.

[DavisH]

1 hour ago, mauGR1 said:

This is getting beyond ridiculous, is this part of the plan of luring the tourists ?

The idiots should have left when they had the chance. They don't want their "holiday" spoiled and are csarrying on as situation normal. Slap 'em with a big fine. 
 

[darrendsd]

1 hour ago, mauGR1 said:

This is getting beyond ridiculous, is this part of the plan of luring the tourists ?

What's ridiculous is people ignoring clear warnings

 

What's even more ridiculous is that you think it's ok for them to do so

[Joinaman]

Maybe a silly question

But, what would happen if you reuse to ride in the back of the pick up, ?

Not only against the Law, but dangerous too, but the police seem to pick and choose which laws the like to enforce, usually the one with the most  money at the end 

[impulse]

24 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

What's ridiculous is people ignoring clear warnings

 

What's even more ridiculous is that you think it's ok for them to do so

 

You mean like the ones who figured out how to buy their beloved booze during the bans?

 

[OneeyedJohn]

3 minutes ago, Joinaman said:

Maybe a silly question

But, what would happen if you reuse to ride in the back of the pick up, ?

Not only against the Law, but dangerous too, but the police seem to pick and choose which laws the like to enforce, usually the one with the most  money at the end 

Handcuffed behind your back is not a pleasant experience, especially when you are being manhandled.

[mauGR1]

24 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

What's ridiculous is people ignoring clear warnings

 

What's even more ridiculous is that you think it's ok for them to do so

Wash your mouth.