Report Police Clamp Down on Prostitution to Protect Pattaya’s Image

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

In a dramatic turn of events on May 21st, 2025, Pattaya Police, led by Pol. Col. Anek Sathongyoo, orchestrated a massive raid to combat prostitution along Pattaya’s famed beachfront.

 

The operation saw over 50 officers from key departments, including the Tourist and Immigration Police, sweeping the area in a bid to curb the illegal activities that have marred the city’s image. The joint effort resulted in the arrest of more than 50 individuals involved in prostitution activities.

 

This crackdown comes as a response to increasing reports of solicitation by female and transgender prostitutes, especially under the cover of dark, along the beach walkways, writes Adam Judd for Pattaya News.

 

Concerns have grown over violent incidents and crimes associated with these activities, stirring action to protect Pattaya’s tourism reputation. The operation's intent is to rejuvenate Pattaya's allure as a destination free from criminal activities.

 

Two specialised teams were set up: one for arrests and the other for containment. The arrest team focused on capturing those suspected of soliciting clients, while the containment team ensured no suspects escaped the net. Despite their efforts, some individuals reportedly slipped away through alleyways during the operation.

 

Following detentions, all suspects were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for processing. They will face fines and legal proceedings managed by officials from the Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security office. This decisive action by the authorities underscores their commitment to restoring safety and integrity to Pattaya’s scenic beachfront.

 

The operation highlights ongoing efforts by the Pattaya Police to maintain order and uphold the law in one of Thailand’s popular tourist hubs. It serves as a reminder of the dedication to ensuring the city remains a welcoming environment for its visitors.

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Pattaya News 2025-05-22

 

 

[blaze master]

Shut the fffff up already about this my god. You people.look like total imbeciles. 

 

Pattaya was built on prostitution accept it as your culture or actually do something about it. 

[spidermike007]

What they don't seem to understand is that you cannot protect Pattaya's image, you cannot worry about hurting the image of a place that already has a horrific reputation. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

55 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Shut the fffff up already about this my god. You people.look like total imbeciles. 

 

Pattaya was built on prostitution accept it as your culture or actually do something about it. 

It's ignorant comments like this that harm Thailand.

Nothing to do with culture, it's political. 

 

I'd say most of the prostitutes are working in the sex industry for survival. 

 

In the west the government would provide social security and welfare payments (thousands of dollars after the birth) for these young mothers, government would garnish the fathers wages, the woman may be on maternity leave, she has income but sadly in Thailand these very POOR young woman (girls) have no money to support herself and her baby. 

 

Most times the father has abandoned her, these girls have no one to turn to for support, sadly they make wrong decisions in life. 

 

Again, these girls/young mothers, Thailand has failed these young people, at times they have no option but to work in the sex industry. 

 

Shame on Thailand for not providing for these young mothers. 

 

[blaze master]

10 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing to do with culture, it's political.

 

Ok you keep your blinders on and believe whatever you want. 

 

Other than the ones forced into it they always have an option. Stop making excuses. They chose the option which is easier and pays more. Path of least resistance. Thai culture. 

 

 

[fondue zoo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Despite their efforts, some individuals reportedly slipped away through alleyways during the operation.

 

when you're on the job, know your exits

[StandardIssue]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

What they don't seem to understand is that you cannot protect Pattaya's image, you cannot worry about hurting the image of a place that already has a horrific reputation. 

 

I once came to Thailand for the girls, YEARS ago. But now I just want to go and relax, live well and participate in humanitarian charity work for the poor and under privileged.

 

Thailand and Pattaya have a world wide reputation now. As soon as I say to folks in my country that I've lived in Thailand many immediately think I"m some kind of sex pervert or worse. So, yea I agree with you. Pattaya as well as Thailand in general seems to have quite a reputation. Mostly due to it being a well known prostitution destination.

 

[Mason45]

I met my wife in a Pattaya bar and we've been married for the past 24 years. To my way of thinking there's 2 different types of girls who work  bars in Pattaya. There's girls who are looking for a serious relationship and there's also career sluts. This will never change no matter who tries returning  Pattaya to being a pristine family tourist resort, if it ever was. Nobody will never stop anything in Thailand if it's driven by money.

[StandardIssue]

2 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I met my wife in a Pattaya bar and we've been married for the past 24 years. To my way of thinking there's 2 different types of girls who work  bars in Pattaya. There's girls who are looking for a serious relationship and there's also career sluts. This will never change no matter who tries returning  Pattaya to being a pristine family tourist resort, if it ever was. Nobody will never stop anything in Thailand if it's driven by money.

This is really great and I'm happy for you. Your case seems to be the exception rather than the rule as you probably well know. Having lived in LOS for about 8 years you hear ALL the stories of farangs getting taken to the cleaners marrying bar girls. I remember talking to an Irishman on the Pattaya Bangkok bus lines 10 years ago or so. Sobbing most of the way to Bangkok. Did the typical marriage thing, bought here a house in her name with most of his money  blah blah. She kicked him out and took it all.

[Mason45]

9 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

 

when you're on the job, know your exits

Then again the BIB may have been promised a happy ending after the dust has settled.

[SAFETY FIRST]

29 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Ok you keep your blinders on and believe whatever you want. 

 

Other than the ones forced into it they always have an option. Stop making excuses. They chose the option which is easier and pays more. Path of least resistance. Thai culture. 

Omg, another ignorant comment, you have no bloody idea. 

 

The mother struggles to keep her child without income she must leave her child with a guardian, most times her mother.

The girl must relocate, go work and live in the city, the minimum wage of around 12000 month is not enough to pay for her apartment, pay a guardian, food, clothing, electricity, etc, now she finds herself working in the sex industry. 

 

[bkk6060]

7 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I met my wife in a Pattaya bar and we've been married for the past 24 years. To my way of thinking there's 2 different types of girls who work  bars in Pattaya. There's girls who are looking for a serious relationship and there's also career sluts. This will never change no matter who tries returning  Pattaya to being a pristine family tourist resort, if it ever was. Nobody will never stop anything in Thailand if it's driven by money.

Very rare now in Pattaya unless older and fat.  24 years ago is prior to social media.  Now, it is about getting attention, drinking, gambling, party, having as many guys as possible.  Settling down with one guy is way off the radar.

[Mason45]

1 minute ago, StandardIssue said:

This is really great and I'm happy for you. Your case seems to be the exception rather than the rule as you probably well know. Having lived in LOS for about 8 years you hear ALL the stories for farangs getting taken to the cleaners marrying bar girls.

The stories we read seem to suggest that only Thai bar girls take their partners to to the cleaners. I can assure you that this practice is world wide but that doesn't make headlines because everyone is aware of this,

[ikke1959]

They are not aware of the image of Pattaya that it has for many decades already.... and how can you change a image if it is still the sexcity of the world?? and changing with the corrupt and not working RTP force is also impossible

[blaze master]

34 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Omg, another ignorant comment, you have no bloody idea. 

 

The mother struggles to keep her child without income she must leave her child with a guardian, most times her mother.

The girl must relocate, go work and live in the city, the minimum wage of around 12000 month is not enough to pay for her apartment, pay a guardian, food, clothing, electricity, etc, now she finds herself working in the sex industry. 

 

 

Talk about ignorance.  She must eh. Good grief.

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, fondue zoo said:

 

when you're on the job, know your exits

I do not think it was a case of knowing your exits. More like, there were so many standing around trying to get a John that the police were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. 50 cops to detain 1000 sex workers? Come on. It is not like the police do not know the numbers. The girls stand right across from their station trying to find customers. The story also fails to tell you what happened to these girls after they were taken to the police station. Was this another 500 baht fine gathering rather than actual arrests and jail waiting to see a judge? Or was it just another collection point to enrich the police whilst making a fake show of concern for the riff-raff that stand around selling themselves. 

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, StandardIssue said:

This is really great and I'm happy for you. Your case seems to be the exception rather than the rule as you probably well know. Having lived in LOS for about 8 years you hear ALL the stories of farangs getting taken to the cleaners marrying bar girls. I remember talking to an Irishman on the Pattaya Bangkok bus lines 10 years ago or so. Sobbing most of the way to Bangkok. Did the typical marriage thing, bought here a house in her name with most of his money  blah blah. She kicked him out and took it all.

Yeah, i have also met a few foreigners that had this happen to them. Sad really to see they worked all their lives then lost it all on their thinking these girls sex for money without feeling so they think nothing of taking you for all they can. 

[henryford1958]

Pattaya's reputation is built on prostitution. Who would come here otherwise.

[Denim]

I've met plenty of guys who married bar girls and it worked out fine. Lived happy ever after. 

 

I've also met quite a few less than attractive guys who got taken to the cleaners , lost lots of money and then become mysogynists,  hating ALL Thai women.

 

Same back in the UK with guys marrying English roses. Sometimes a life long partnership sometimes an acrimonious divorce with both parties bickering over every stick and stone. If kids are involved the women usually come out better.

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

Talk about ignorance.  She must eh. Good grief.

Do the maths, add up her expenses and see how far a job at 7eleven, Big C, lotus etc paying 12k baht a month goes. 

I agree, if the girl has a supporting boyfriend/husband, or from a well off family who can help her, she really does not have an option 

 

I've had a couple of girlfriends in the past who I have supported, young mothers, working for the minimum wage. They came from very poor families, barely able to provide food on the dinner table, they live as far as 100km from a city, it's expensive to relocate, renting an apartment, utilities, sending money to her mother for baby food and nappies, clothing etc adds up quickly 

 

Please, once you have completed her budget, let's talk again. 

 

 

[ChrisY1]

Remind me again....how many working girls are in Pattaya....was it 50,000+?

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

 

I once came to Thailand for the girls, YEARS ago. But now I just want to go and relax, live well and participate in humanitarian charity work for the poor and under privileged.

 

Thailand and Pattaya have a world wide reputation now. As soon as I say to folks in my country that I've lived in Thailand many immediately think I"m some kind of sex pervert or worse. So, yea I agree with you. Pattaya as well as Thailand in general seems to have quite a reputation. Mostly due to it being a well known prostitution destination.

 

I agree when people ask me why I'm living in Thailand or why a gravitated to Thailand I tell them the reason I love staying in Thailand is my love of ancient architecture. My love of Sukhothai design is lifelong. The older ones with the Khmer influence are especially appealing to me. I have been to Wat Mahathat 30 times. The influence of Singhalese, with the Lotus bud chedi, ( a symbol of purity and Divine birth) and the four images of the Buddha, are profound. I especially like the Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo in Si Satchanalai. I am also deeply drawn to the Hariphunchai architecture found in the Sukhotahi Historical park. I used to travel to Bagan in Burma often. It is not possible now, but the Pahtothamya Temple is one of my favorites, with the 11th century paintings of sea creatures.

 

This shuts them up quickly. They look at me like I am from another planet. Wow. I had no idea you were so passionate about archaeology. 

[JoePai]

Police Clamp Down on Prostitution to Protect Pattaya’s Image

 

Award to the best Title this year - so far  😎

[LennyW]

There a far more deserving things in need of sorting out in Pattaya......

[TDCNINJA]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Omg, another ignorant comment, you have no bloody idea. 

 

The mother struggles to keep her child without income she must leave her child with a guardian, most times her mother.

The girl must relocate, go work and live in the city, the minimum wage of around 12000 month is not enough to pay for her apartment, pay a guardian, food, clothing, electricity, etc, now she finds herself working in the sex industry. 

 

 

Another Captain-Save a Ho!

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

Other than the ones forced into it they always have an option.

Eat or not.  School your kids or not.  What other option is there for a young mother who maybe didn't finish school; has been left with two kids when her Thai husband abandons her and his family?

[MalcolmB]

4 hours ago, blaze master said:

Pattaya was built on prostitution accept it as your culture or actually do something about it. 

It was actually a fishing village until the farangs showed up to exploit the poor.

[MalcolmB]

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I once came to Thailand for the girls.
 

 

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

As soon as I say to folks in my country that I've lived in Thailand many immediately think I"m some kind of sex pervert or worse.

There you have it.

 

I think nearly all of us are sex tourists or sexpats.

 

Apart from the Russians.

 

How many on this forum have never had sex with a Thai?

[MalcolmB]

15 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Eat or not.  School your kids or not.  What other option is there for a young mother who maybe didn't finish school; has been left with two kids when her Thai husband abandons her and his family?

You can get at the temple everyday if you want.

People give monks to much and they in turn give it to anyone who needs it.

 

Nobody starves in Thailand.

 

You make it sound like only Thai men leave women?

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

It was actually a fishing village until the farangs showed up to exploit the poor.

They did not initially come to do that.......came to wage war!