Welcome to Thailand! Tourist's First Visit to Pattaya Ends in Theft

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Daily News

Two foreign tourists visiting Pattaya for the first time fell victim to pickpockets, losing a combined total of tens of thousands of baht.

 

On 17th March, it was reported that 67-year-old German national, Mr Manfred Frey, along with his wife and friend, went to the police to report an incident.

 

They were pickpocketed at a beer bar at the entrance of Soi 5 on Pattaya's Second Road on 16th March, and filed their report with Police Lieutenant Thanavee Yaransi at Pattaya City Police Station.

 

According to a friend of the victim, Mr Frey was enjoying drinks at the bar when two foreign women, believed to be mother and daughter, approached.

 

They attempted to sell candy, chatting for a while even after Mr Frey refused the purchase. Once they left, Mr Frey discovered his wallet missing, containing 6,000 baht and several documents.

 

 

While Mr Frey was giving his statement, another victim, 26-year-old Indian tourist Mr Vishal Takkar, reported a similar crime. He had been outside a hotel in South Pattaya, accompanied by a Thai friend.

 

A transgender individual asked to borrow a lighter for a cigarette and engaged Mr Takkar in brief contact. Shortly after, he realised his wallet was missing, which contained 7,000 baht and 200 US dollars.

 

Both tourists, new to Pattaya and shaken by the experience, expressed concerns over safety and urged the police to swiftly apprehend the culprits. They worry these incidents tarnish Pattaya's reputation as a tourism destination, reported Daily News.

 

-- 2025-03-17

 

 

[Robin]

What's new?  Sounds typical of Pattaya in particular and Thailand in general

[ozz1]

Welcome to Pattaya don't carry anything you don't want to loose  and watch out for those ladyboys they need money for their upkeep a great family destination

[KhunBENQ]

People often mock about my shoulder bag that I carry on my belly during daytime.

I have the last laugh 😂 

In the night I sometimes go without the bag and carrying the absolute minimum.

[KhunBENQ]

10 minutes ago, Robin said:

What's new?  Sounds typical of Pattaya in particular and Thailand in general

Thailand in general?

Pickpocketing is rarely heard outside of the tourist centers.

Nothing to pick 😁

Those mother/rent a baby beggars and thieves are mostly from Cambodia as far as I know.

[potless]

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

A transgender individual asked to borrow a lighter for a cigarette and engaged Mr Takkar in brief contact. Shortly after, he realised his wallet was missing, which contained 7,000 baht and 200 US dollars.

Wallets are easy too easy to steal without the owner realising. I never use one.

[KhunBENQ]

1 minute ago, potless said:

Wallets are easy too easy to steal without the owner realising. I never use one.

Back pockets, backpacks...

A pickpockets favorite.

Keys and cash in trouser pockets are easy lost.

[Hawaiian]

6 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Back pockets, backpacks...

A pickpockets favorite.

Keys and cash in trouser pockets are easy lost.

Been all over the country in the past 20 years.  Wallet with minimum amount of cash kept in my front pocket with a zipper.  Credit card hidden in pouch under my shirt.  Never had a problem.

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

Welcome to Pattaya don't carry anything you don't want to loose 

 

Walking around wearing underwear? they wont let you in in a  bar dressed like that,

[Yagoda]

59 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Been all over the country in the past 20 years.  Wallet with minimum amount of cash kept in my front pocket with a zipper.  Credit card hidden in pouch under my shirt.  Never had a problem.

Same. One in 40 years.

 

I hear its worse in Milan

[Hawaiian]

36 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Same. One in 40 years.

 

I hear its worse in Milan

The Philippines is not much better, especially in Manila.  I was there in the eighty's when there was an armed robbery at the Hilton and this was during martial law. 

[VBF]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

Been all over the country in the past 20 years.  Wallet with minimum amount of cash kept in my front pocket with a zipper.  Credit card hidden in pouch under my shirt.  Never had a problem.

Same here. Zipped pockets are a boon - never buy shorts without 'em. 

[hotchilli]

Keep your wallet where you can feel an unwelcome visitor

[Blueman1]

42 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Keep your wallet where you can feel an unwelcome visitor

So NOT Anywhere near Yer Crown Jewels !!

[Katatonica]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

The Philippines is not much better, especially in Manila.  I was there in the eighty's when there was an armed robbery at the Hilton and this was during martial law. 

That would have been the army. I witnessed a shootout on the streets by some bank robbers, from the army,  in the early 90's in Manila: scary place. We were locked in the guest house when I got there, steel cage round it, never seen anything like that before. It's nowhere near like that now though.

[Hawaiian]

30 minutes ago, Katatonica said:

That would have been the army. I witnessed a shootout on the streets by some bank robbers, from the army,  in the early 90's in Manila: scary place. We were locked in the guest house when I got there, steel cage round it, never seen anything like that before. It's nowhere near like that now though.

After Manila I went to Iloilo where Marcos had his own troops "ambushed" and blamed the New Peoples Army for it.  It was a setup with throw down weapons all as an excuse to maintain martial law.

[Robert_Smith]

I'm in Pattaya now and can confirm that it is still a sh!t hole!

 

regards,

bob.

[norsurin]

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

People often mock about my shoulder bag that I carry on my belly during daytime.

I have the last laugh 😂 

In the night I sometimes go without the bag and carrying the absolute minimum.

I never take my creditcards or phone with me outside at nigthtime.Its locked in my hotelsafe.I take with me the cash i need and thats it.And i never allows anybody i dont know to hug me.I just walk away if they trying something and keep my hands in my pockets.

[norsurin]

19 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

I'm in Pattaya now and can confirm that it is still a sh!t hole!

 

regards,

bob.

Not been there for 13 years and no plan going there again I feel safer in Bangkok and hua-hin.