SOURCE: Pattaya City News: May 15th 2007

429 arrests in 5 day Police crime crackdown.

Police Major General Somdaert, the Deputy Commander of Region 2 Police oversaw this Tuesday Afternoon press conference at Pattaya Police Station attended by Police Colonel Sutin, the Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, Police Colonel Itipon, the Superintendent of Pattaya’s Immigration Bureau and Police Lieutenant Colonel Wootishart, the Chief of Pattaya’s Tourist Police Division.

A total of 429 people were arrested in Pattaya between 11th May and 15th May in a city-wide crime crackdown undertaken by each local Police Division. 1,016 Yabba Tablets, 7 firearms with 77 bullets, 34.3g of Crystal Methamphetamine and 13 packets of the class 5 drug Marijuana were seized in the 5 day operation.

Some of the more serious cases were featured in this press conference with many of the firearms and narcotics seized on show for the gathered media. This crackdown will continue as orders from Senior Police Generals have been given to rid Pattaya of all forms of crime.

Well its a start - and if they continue it has to have some beneficial effect.

Where did they put them all - the police station is not all that big?

Well its a start - and if they continue it has to have some beneficial effect.

Where did they put them all - the police station is not all that big?

Stand at front desk with arresting officer :

"'ello, 'ello. What's all this then?"

"I'm charging 'im with possession of 2 1/2 yaa baa tablets, Sarge"

" two 'n 'n 'arf?"

"Well 1,016 divided by 429 ain't easy, Sarge"

"OK, then. You sonny - what's yer name 'n address?"

"Tong, officer. And I live out past Moo Bahn Central, Soi 43."

"OK, then. Leave 100 baht on the counter and bugger off. We're busy."

"Next!"

This is indicative of the larger problem, the "regular" police are extremely busy reigning in their own citizens. The "tourist" police have evolved into mainly a prosecution force searching out bad farangs. So normal tourists and long-term visitors are left to themsleves to solve any crimes they may be a victim of because there are no resources left available. Sad but true. Crime against foreigners escalates.