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]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:41 AM, Robin said:

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

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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]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:31 AM, 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.

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

[KhunBENQ]

  23 hours ago, potless said:

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

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Back pockets, backpacks...

A pickpockets favorite.

Keys and cash in trouser pockets are easy lost.

[Hawaiian]

  23 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Back pockets, backpacks...

A pickpockets favorite.

Keys and cash in trouser pockets are easy lost.

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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]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:42 AM, ozz1 said:

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

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

[Yagoda]

  23 hours 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.

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Same. One in 40 years.

 

I hear its worse in Milan

[Hawaiian]

  22 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Same. One in 40 years.

 

I hear its worse in Milan

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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]

  23 hours 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.

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

[hotchilli]

Keep your wallet where you can feel an unwelcome visitor

[Blueman1]

  21 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Keep your wallet where you can feel an unwelcome visitor

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So NOT Anywhere near Yer Crown Jewels !!

[Katatonica]

  21 hours 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. 

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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]

  20 hours 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.

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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]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:52 AM, 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.

Expand  

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 hours ago, Robert_Smith said:

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

 

regards,

bob.

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

[portisaacozzy]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:42 AM, ozz1 said:

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

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i cant, she is to heavy !

[AustinRacing]

Is that what they call it now “selling candy”?  

[still kicking]

  19 hours ago, Robert_Smith said:

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

 

regards,

bob.

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That is absolute nonsense I have been to Pats 17 times and never had any problems the <deleted> is just what you write 

[impulse]

  19 hours ago, norsurin said:

I never take my creditcards or phone with me outside at nigthtime.Its locked in my hotelsafe.

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I keep my goodies with me.  I don't trust hotel safes.

 

Admittedly, it's been awhile since I've seen a hotel safe sob story, but we used to get several a month just a few years ago.  Seems everyone and their dog knows how to open them. 

 

[blaze master]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:31 AM, webfact said:

They worry these incidents tarnish Pattaya's reputation as a tourism destination, reported Daily News.

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If this place was so family friendly with a  pristine reputation.....why are we bombarded with these kinds of events on almost daily basis ?

 

How does one even report that with a straight face anymore. 

 

[mikebell]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:31 AM, webfact said:

urged the police to swiftly apprehend the culprits. They worry these incidents tarnish Pattaya's reputation as a tourism destination,

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Good luck with urging the BIB to do anything resembling work.  They tarnish Pattaya's reputation more than pickpockets.

[steven100]

welcome to honest Thailand ....    I'll just wait for the new honest taxi story to follow.  

 

Just bring your wallet and we'll look after it...   no thief's or cheats here  !  

[Robert_Smith]

  10 hours ago, still kicking said:

That is absolute nonsense I have been to Pats 17 times and never had any problems the <deleted> is just what you write 

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....I'm here, now, boots on the ground.

 

I've got eyes and they are wide open..

 

where the hell are you?

 

bob.

[steven100]

  9 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I keep my goodies with me.  I don't trust hotel safes.

 

Admittedly, it's been awhile since I've seen a hotel safe sob story, but we used to get several a month just a few years ago.  Seems everyone and their dog knows how to open them. 

 

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agree ....  the room safe .... housekeeping ... the receptionist .... candy sellers ... ladyboys .... cops ... jet ski operators ... etc .. etc ...    you can't trust anyone here that's for damn sure.   

[sammieuk1]

On a side note use your cum face' to unlock your phone, so you at least get some pleasure' if forced to unlock it🤔

[henryford1958]

How many visitors does Pattaya get a year 5 million? You are bound to get some pick pocketing, like any major city in the world. Just take reasonable precautions. Like others have said i never use a wallet, to easy to take.