Pattaya Vendors Exploit Children for Tourist Sympathy

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Pattaya Vendors Exploit Children for Tourist Sympathy

Foreign vendors, primarily Vietnamese, are using children to drive aggressive street sales in Pattaya’s tourist spots, raising ethical concerns. Observed along Walking Street and Petchtrakool Road, vendors carrying infants and young children approach tourists with items like flowers and candies, leveraging sympathy to drive sales. The tactic has upset both locals and tourists, with some feeling pressured to buy out of pity. As Pattaya prepares for major festivals, there is growing pressure on local authorities to address this issue, which locals fear is damaging the city’s image and affecting Thai vendors' livelihoods.