Japanese Tourist Pickpocketed on First Day in Pattaya, Frustrated by Police Response

[BayArea]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

A 78-year-old Japanese tourist visiting Pattaya for the first time

I'm surprised it took him this long! 

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, Boulderman said:

Strap, sew, buckle, put a chain around connected to your belt loop, or put it in your socks. I'm paranoid to lose or get my wallet stolen.  Secure that, soldier!

I usually put so much money in it, it is near impossible to get it out of the rear back pocket!

[spidermike007]

13 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

It is actually because they are not provided with enough equipment to do that patrolling, nothing to do with lip service.

Whenever I'm driving I see a lot of highway patrol cars pulled over on the side of the road at these little air conditioned offices where they're likely playing cards, so what you're saying is utterly false. They have enough cars to patrol, they just don't have any motivation. 

[jacko45k]

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Whenever I'm driving I see a lot of highway patrol cars pulled over on the side of the road at these little air conditioned offices where they're likely playing cards, so what you're saying is utterly false. They have enough cars to patrol, they just don't have any motivation. 

They seem to be able to muster up an infinite amount of patrol cars and manpower when a VIP passes though on the roads. 

[hotandsticky]

Just now, jacko45k said:

They seem to be able to muster up an infinite amount of patrol cars and manpower when a VIP passes though on the roads. 

 

 

That is called income generation.

[richard_smith237]

16 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

It is actually because they are not provided with enough equipment to do that patrolling, nothing to do with lip service.

 

What equipment are they missing....  ?????

 

... I don't consider 'effort' and taking responsibility for the job you are tasked with to be 'equipment'.... 

 

...  in this case the Japanese Tourist was frustrated because the police didn't even bother to attempt to investigate - What equipment is necessary for the Police to go and secure copies of CCTV Footage ???  they didn't even need transport as the 'crime' occurred close to the police station... 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

They have enough cars to patrol, they just don't have any motivation. 

 

100%...   and the only way they 'become motivated' is through either financial incentive... in this case the 'amounts were not worthy of investigation' (not enough 'cut')...  OR 'face' when social media embarrasses one of the bosses sufficiently to demand action.... 

[black tabby12345]

 

Thai man approached him, engaged in small talk, and stayed nearby for 5–10 minutes. Shortly after, he realised his bag had been unzipped and several valuable items were missing..

 

Typical trick of the pickpocketing by more than one.

One draws victim's attention during which another does his job.

78 YO novice is the perfect sitting duck them.

 

Loss of 1400B, just like a lesson fee to him, for the reasonable level of security precaution in unknown places...

 

 

 

 

[Truth Teller]

On 2/19/2025 at 3:32 PM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of TMN

 

A 78-year-old Japanese tourist visiting Pattaya for the first time was left frustrated after falling victim to pickpocketing on his first day in the city. He reported the crime to local police but was told to find evidence himself before officers would take further action.

 

At 00:40 on 19 February, Mr. Yoshiki Matsuura, accompanied by his Thai female friend, filed a complaint with Pattaya City Police Station, reporting that he had been pickpocketed near a jewellery store in front of Walking Street, Pattaya.

 

Mr. Matsuura explained that while he was exploring Pattaya’s nightlife, a Thai man approached him, engaged in small talk, and stayed nearby for 5–10 minutes. Shortly after, he realised his bag had been unzipped and several valuable items were missing, including:

 

1. 1,400 baht in cash

2. Two credit cards linked to a Japanese bank

3. Two driving licences

 

Realising the theft, he immediately contacted his Thai friend, who accompanied him to the police station to report the incident, particularly concerned about his stolen credit cards and licences.

 

However, upon filing the report, Mr. Matsuura was only given a single sheet of paper as confirmation and was told by investigators to find evidence himself. Officers reportedly advised him to check CCTV footage on his own and, if he identified a suspect, to report back so police could make an arrest.

 

Adding to his frustration, the incident occurred just a few metres from a Pattaya Tourist Police service point, but when he sought help there, he was simply advised to report the crime at the main police station.

 

Deeply disappointed by the lack of support, Mr. Matsuura is urging police to take action to locate the suspect and recover his stolen property.

-- 2025-02-20

 

Sadly, it was probably a Thai police officer who was the pickpocket. 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

18 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

It is actually because they are not provided with enough equipment to do that patrolling, nothing to do with lip service.

 

What equipment are they missing....  ?????

In the case of the post to which I was specifically responding, i.e. road safety, they lack vehicles and fuel for patrols dues to insufficient government budgets for local police stations nationwide.  

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

18 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

It is actually because they are not provided with enough equipment to do that patrolling, nothing to do with lip service.

Whenever I'm driving I see a lot of highway patrol cars pulled over on the side of the road at these little air conditioned offices where they're likely playing cards, so what you're saying is utterly false. They have enough cars to patrol, they just don't have any motivation. 

No, it is not "utterly false"; available highway patrol cars are frequently seen patrolling the highways. 

 

Specifically what is "a lot" of highway patrol cars that you see  at those offices - are there perhaps one or two that may be there for official reasons (shift changes, reports, administrative reasons, etc. ?) or even there because the stations' officers will not provide their own fuel for police patrol vehicles?    

[richard_smith237]

28 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

In the case of the post to which I was specifically responding, i.e. road safety, they lack vehicles and fuel for patrols dues to insufficient government budgets for local police stations nationwide.  

 

In that case..  Yes.... I understand your point.

 

I recall a 'friend' ( a police officer ) refusing to 'return an escaped prisoner to the north because he'd be expected to pay his own flight ticket and hotel.

 

When they (the BiB) have to buy their won uniforms and guns then we can start to see the size of this issue.

 

Nevertheless, they are not completely 'devoid' of resources....  It doesn't take anything other than a radio and effort....   to position police offers down-stream from traffic lights to catch red-light jumpers. 

Equally so...  it doesn't take anything other than 'effort' for the Policemen to walk out at any junction with stopped traffic and issue fines to all those without seatbelts... 

... It doesn't take policemen anything other than effort to 'stop those riding on sidewalks' and fine them.... 

 

The truth is - even without decent resources, a lot of police work could still be carried out if they weren't so apathetic.....    

 

All the police seem interested in doing is 'rising' within their ranks to get a better cut.

 

 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

100%...   and the only way they 'become motivated' is through either financial incentive... in this case the 'amounts were not worthy of investigation' (not enough 'cut')...  OR 'face' when social media embarrasses one of the bosses sufficiently to demand action.... 

I completely agree with that, and I find that embarrassment and shame is one of the truly great motivators in Thailand. When I'm looking to get any kind of service or achieve some customer service I will oftentimes be forced to resort to those tactics, and most of the time it works.

 

Nothing like massive amounts of egg on the face for someone who's absolutely obsessed with shameful and useless practice of saving face. 

[spidermike007]

43 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, it is not "utterly false"; available highway patrol cars are frequently seen patrolling the highways. 

 

Specifically what is "a lot" of highway patrol cars that you see  at those offices - are there perhaps one or two that may be there for official reasons (shift changes, reports, administrative reasons, etc. ?) or even there because the stations' officers will not provide their own fuel for police patrol vehicles?    

Well the highway patrol certainly appreciates your willingness to do free PR for them, but the bottom line is that the only time I've ever seen highway patrol cars on the highway, is if they are approaching an accident site, and that applies to decades of highway driving here. 

 

In 20 years I've never seen anybody get pulled over for reckless driving. And worldwide that is one of the primary functions of the highway patrol. But not here. Ever. 

[Liverpool Lou]

26 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Well the highway patrol certainly appreciates your willingness to do free PR for them, but the bottom line is that the only time I've ever seen highway patrol cars on the highway, is if they are approaching an accident site, and that applies to decades of highway driving here. 

 

In 20 years I've never seen anybody get pulled over for reckless driving. And worldwide that is one of the primary functions of the highway patrol. But not here. Ever. 

My point exactly (except that I have twice been pulled over by the Highway Patrol driving from Khon Kaen to Bangkok), they do not always have the budget for constant patrols.

[Aussie999]

On 2/20/2025 at 11:53 PM, KhunLA said:

MAGA has what to do with anything in TH.   Oh, you mean Trump pick their pockets ... GOT IT

 

I didn't say Maga had anything to do with Thailand... It was meant to point to your state of mind, but you did not understand, which is obvious because you don't think.

[Purdey]

On 2/20/2025 at 4:32 AM, Georgealbert said:

accompanied by his Thai female friend

All on his first day?