Crime Pattaya Police Confirm Only 12 Tourists Pickpocketed During Wan Lai Festival

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.
 

In response to widespread social media reports that dozens of tourists were targeted by pickpocket gangs during Pattaya’s Wan Lai Festival, local police have clarified that only 12 official complaints were filed over the  celebrations.

 

On the 20 April, Pol. Col. Prawit Chorseng, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, stated that between 19 and 20 April, police received 12 formal reports of theft, 10 from foreign tourists and 2 from Thai nationals. Most of the stolen items were mobile phones kept in waterproof pouches, commonly used during Songkran festivities.

 

 

The police chief emphasised that the reported incidents were relatively few considering the massive crowds, estimated in the tens of thousands, that gathered in Pattaya for the annual water festival. He noted that the number of thefts was lower than in previous years.

 

Pol. Col. Prawit also stressed that both the Chonburi Provincial Police and Pattaya Police Station had deployed extensive security measures to safeguard tourists and ensure smooth celebrations. “We have taken strict measures to protect people and support the public during this major tourism event,” he said.

 

Despite the smaller number of reports, police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining Pattaya’s image as a welcoming tourist destination.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from ThaiCH8.

 

-- 2025-04-20

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

That´s a very good result.

[MalcolmB]

I was sexually assaulted by more than five thai women on different occasions during songkran.

I thought they were trying to entice me for a sexual encounter the way they kept grabbing at it.

 

But maybe they were really trying to just pickpocket me?

 

I am never 100% sure what is going on since I moved here.

Not everything is as it seems in the Land of Smiles.

[newbee2022]

20 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.
 

In response to widespread social media reports that dozens of tourists were targeted by pickpocket gangs during Pattaya’s Wan Lai Festival, local police have clarified that only 12 official complaints were filed over the  celebrations.

 

On the 20 April, Pol. Col. Prawit Chorseng, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, stated that between 19 and 20 April, police received 12 formal reports of theft, 10 from foreign tourists and 2 from Thai nationals. Most of the stolen items were mobile phones kept in waterproof pouches, commonly used during Songkran festivities.

 

 

The police chief emphasised that the reported incidents were relatively few considering the massive crowds, estimated in the tens of thousands, that gathered in Pattaya for the annual water festival. He noted that the number of thefts was lower than in previous years.

 

Pol. Col. Prawit also stressed that both the Chonburi Provincial Police and Pattaya Police Station had deployed extensive security measures to safeguard tourists and ensure smooth celebrations. “We have taken strict measures to protect people and support the public during this major tourism event,” he said.

 

Despite the smaller number of reports, police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining Pattaya’s image as a welcoming tourist destination.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from ThaiCH8.

 

-- 2025-04-20

 

 

 

Only 12 ??? I would have expected hundreds. 

Most Thais are not stealing. So my assumptions the criminals have been farangs? 😳

[dallen52]

18 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I was sexually assaulted by more than five thai women on different occasions during songkran.

I thought they were trying to entice me for a sexual encounter the way they kept grabbing at it.

 

But maybe they were really trying to just pickpocket me?

 

I am never 100% sure what is going on since I moved here.

Not everything is as it seems in the Land of Smiles.

Just checking the size of your package.

Err I mean wallet.  555

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, dallen52 said:

Just checking the size of your package.

Err I mean wallet.  555

Now that I know what to expect next year I will use the old ski sock trick.

[fredwiggy]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Only 12 ??? I would have expected hundreds. 

Most Thais are not stealing. So my assumptions the criminals have been farangs? 😳

More assumptions. Most crime here is locals against locals. Do you think many farangs are coming here to pickpocket others?

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

More assumptions. Most crime here is locals against locals. Do you think many farangs are coming here to pickpocket others?

Yes, I believe that. As everywhere. London City, Blackpool, Frankfurt, BKK. And others. Make it easy to enter a country you'll get all riffraff from round the world. Whites, Yellows, Blacks and many others 

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yes, I believe that. As everywhere. London City, Blackpool, Frankfurt, BKK. And others. Make it easy to enter a country you'll get all riffraff from round the world. Whites, Yellows, Blacks and many others 

More likely that any farangs here that are criminals are into organized crime like human trafficking and drug dealing instead of those trying to pickpocket others. That's a poor man's profession, although it is sometimes a team thing, and happens a lot in Rome.

[newbee2022]

22 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

More likely that any farangs here that are criminals are into organized crime like human trafficking and drug dealing instead of those trying to pickpocket others. That's a poor man's profession, although it is sometimes a team thing, and happens a lot in Rome.

Yes, there are a lot of poor farangs here

[fredwiggy]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yes, there are a lot of poor farangs here

How do you know? You need a certain amount if you want to stay. I'm thinking most foreigners that live here are doing okay as far as finances. Tourists only need enough for a vacation. When you say there are a lot, are you speaking from personal information, knowing a lot of poor farangs, how much they actually have?

[terryofcrete]

21 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

am never 100% sure what is going on since I moved here.

There's the problem... 

[newbee2022]

48 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

How do you know? You need a certain amount if you want to stay. I'm thinking most foreigners that live here are doing okay as far as finances. Tourists only need enough for a vacation. When you say there are a lot, are you speaking from personal information, knowing a lot of poor farangs, how much they actually have?

I think you're wrong. You need only to pay a ticket. That's all. The DTV will give you permission to stay all year round. No money required. That's why all riffraff comes now to Thailand. It's cheap. How you spend your life? Nobody cares. 

[fredwiggy]

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I think you're wrong. You need only to pay a ticket. That's all. The DTV will give you permission to stay all year round. No money required. That's why all riffraff comes now to Thailand. It's cheap. How you spend your life? Nobody cares. 

There are requirements if you want to stay ...................https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/dtv-visa-thailand

[Cameroni]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

More likely that any farangs here that are criminals are into organized crime like human trafficking and drug dealing instead of those trying to pickpocket others. That's a poor man's profession, although it is sometimes a team thing, and happens a lot in Rome.

 

Exactly right. It is Burmese gangs that target the festivals. Absolutely disgraceful people, you need to be aware and look around. You will see these groups of concentrated Burmese following farang around. I really hope I catch one in the act one day.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

 

Exactly right. It is Burmese gangs that target the festivals. Absolutely disgraceful people, you need to be aware and look around. You will see these groups of concentrated Burmese following farang around. I really hope I catch one in the act one day.

As do I.

[newbee2022]

7 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

There are requirements if you want to stay ...................https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/dtv-visa-thailand

Are you joking? Every fool can fulfill those requirements.

That's why all these crooks come in hordes to Thailand.

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Are you joking? Every fool can fulfill those requirements.

That's why all these crooks come in hordes to Thailand.

Look at what you said.........."I think you're wrong. You need only to pay a ticket. That's all. The DTV will give you permission to stay all year round. No money required. That's why all riffraff comes now to Thailand. It's cheap. How you spend your life? Nobody cares". Every fool needs 500,000 baht in the bank to stay. It isn't free.You don't know how many crooks are coming in. Of course there are crooks here, and some are foreigners, many involved in the drug and trafficking trade. Some are hired by locals, like illegals are working in the US. Some , very few I suppose, are here to pickpocket, because by yourself it isn't an easy trade, so you need a partner or two to make it profit. You get caught once, you can be deported. No one alive knows how many foreign crooks are here, as well as how many Thai crooks are here, some of which are officials. .  , 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Look at what you said.........."I think you're wrong. You need only to pay a ticket. That's all. The DTV will give you permission to stay all year round. No money required. That's why all riffraff comes now to Thailand. It's cheap. How you spend your life? Nobody cares". Every fool needs 500,000 baht in the bank to stay. It isn't free.You don't know how many crooks are coming in. Of course there are crooks here, and some are foreigners, many involved in the drug and trafficking trade. Some are hired by locals, like illegals are working in the US. Some , very few I suppose, are here to pickpocket, because by yourself it isn't an easy trade, so you need a partner or two to make it profit. You get caught once, you can be deported. No one alive knows how many foreign crooks are here, as well as how many Thai crooks are here, some of which are officials. .  , 

Wrong. You don't need the money. A "sponsor" letter will do.

[fredwiggy]

22 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Wrong. You don't need the money. A "sponsor" letter will do.

I got my information from the Thai embassy. Where did you get yours? Here's another, a Thai lawyers office, which should know..........https://thailawonline.com/dtv-visa-thailand-apply-thai-e-visa/#3-requirements-subject-to-change..................No, a sponsor letter does not completely waive the financial requirements for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). While a sponsor letter can be used to demonstrate financial support, it doesn't replace the need for the applicant to have their own proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements,. The DTV requires applicants to demonstrate they have at least 500,000 THB in liquid assets, according to Siam Legal International. It's possible for one to have a sponsor, but they have to show financial support also. A letter isn't enough, and I'm thinking not many have gone this route. People say things to others, and they take it as gospel.

 

[JulesMad]

The rest is still too drunk, and have not realized it yet

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

I got my information from the Thai embassy. Where did you get yours? Here's another, a Thai lawyers office, which should know..........https://thailawonline.com/dtv-visa-thailand-apply-thai-e-visa/#3-requirements-subject-to-change..................No, a sponsor letter does not completely waive the financial requirements for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). While a sponsor letter can be used to demonstrate financial support, it doesn't replace the need for the applicant to have their own proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements,. The DTV requires applicants to demonstrate they have at least 500,000 THB in liquid assets, according to Siam Legal International. It's possible for one to have a sponsor, but they have to show financial support also. A letter isn't enough, and I'm thinking not many have gone this route. People say things to others, and they take it as gospel.

 

Wrong again. But to enjoy my Easter you'll right. I'm tired of those bickering posts.

Good day

[fredwiggy]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Wrong again. But to enjoy my Easter you'll right. I'm tired of those bickering posts.

Good day

I haven't been wrong yet, but you have.

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I haven't been wrong yet, but you have.

Whatever

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Whatever

It's always best to do some research and not go by what another has said. People do lie, exaggerate, fib, bend the truth, deflect, aggrandize, overestimate and dramatize things, and when one tells another something, by the time you hear it, it could be the opposite of what was originally said. The This embassy is the one that deals with immigration issues, and they have quite a history, so they should know the laws, as well as a lawyers office.

[Captain Flack]

A number of bickering posts have been removed. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but discuss the topic, not other posters.

[Mickboy]

“Wan Lai Pattaya” is a traditional extension of the Songkran Festival, more like Songkran overkill imo.

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

More assumptions. Most crime here is locals against locals. Do you think many farangs are coming here to pickpocket others?

Well those Romanian pickpockets certainly get around.....