File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya is celebrating a jump into the top 10 of the Southeast Asia Safety Index, credited largely to its expansion of CCTV coverage. Ranked ninth by the Numbeo index, this beachside city is making waves with its efforts to boost safety, trailing just behind Bangkok at seventh and led by Chiang Mai, which took the top spot.

 

Numbeo, a Serbian online database renowned for its crowd-sourced quality of life metrics, has recognised Pattaya’s strides in safety. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet points to a declining crime rate and improved police efficiency as contributing factors to this enhanced reputation.

 

Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide, coupled with plans for enhanced safety measures, such as increased lighting and further public engagement in security oversight.

 

While Pattaya continues to feature in headlines for criminal activities, Mayor Ngampichet insists they don't tell the whole story. The city is committed to changing this narrative by working directly with the Central Investigation Bureau to refine its use of CCTV technology for crime suppression.

 

These steps are anticipated to help maintain the positive momentum acknowledged by the index.

 

With its swelling tourist numbers, Pattaya accommodates a floating population that's several times larger than its registered 120,000 residents, presenting unique challenges in maintaining safety. The city's allure continues to draw vast numbers, seeing 20 million Thai and international visitors last year alone.

 

By prioritising a reduction in crime and accidents, Pattaya City Hall is dedicated to solidifying the city as a secure destination. Mayor Ngampichet asserts that expanding safety improvements will remain a focal point, aiming for a future where crime is a rarity.

 

This renewed emphasis on safety aligns smoothly with City Hall's policy goals, boosting Pattaya's appeal as a haven for leisure and living.

 

The drive for safer streets doesn't stop with technology; an emphasis on public participation in security checks is part of the plan. With the support and vigilance of both locals and tourists, Pattaya hopes to further enhance its safe-city status and usher in an era of greater security for all who visit or reside there.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-30

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide,

Which are only consulted AFTER an event.  How can Pattaya police be judged as successful?

As usual forget the actual RTP doing regular patrols- too much effort let’s spend millions on CCTV - no different than the UK! 
I’m not that old but growing up bobbie on the beat - few more on Friday/ Saturday nights & now they’ve all disappeared- RTP seem like the same unless something in the news (which they should know about as is their area before hand)  - that’s just incompetent 

Pattaya in top 10 safety rating in Pattaya !! 😂

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

Which are only consulted AFTER an event.  How can Pattaya police be judged as successful?

And when consulted how many are actually working?

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Pattaya is celebrating a jump into the top 10 of the Southeast Asia Safety Index, credited largely to its expansion of CCTV coverage.

RTP only use CCTV to find people after the crime... it does not help in any way with prevention.

Pattaya is alot safer if you avoid contact with their ladyboy community. At least the news would make it appear that way. 

This the day after a British tourist is flattened at the poolside by falling decorative masonry!

37 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Pattaya is alot safer if you avoid contact with their ladyboy community. At least the news would make it appear that way. 

If the news is anything to go by, it would seem that this "jump" in safety standards" has been preceded by a rather large brown envelope!

You might be safe from muggers but watch out for falling concrete

The day when they stop the road massacre, and have proper road crossings that work , then I will believe it.

Safety ? What are they doing about the violence caused mainly by foreign men who believe Thailand is the country with no laws.  Not a day goes by without violence, not only Pattaya, Phuket is just as bad. It’s just bad news for *normal* tourists who will go elsewhere. 

11 hours ago, webfact said:

credited largely to its expansion of CCTV coverage

CCTV is the preferred weapon of authoritarians everywhere, China being the obvious example. It makes law enforcement very efficient.

 

But it's useful for law enforcement only if you have a competent police force in the first place.

I was assaulted and robbed in my condo room by a Thai man weilding a large meat chopper. The condo has no security guard, but their was cctv, which the police had a very clear image of the assailant. 

 

Yeah, the police did come, took lots of photos, viewed the cctv footage, and then?

 

Nothing!

 

So what use is cctv if the police can't be bothered to find that man!

 

 

"Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide," but how many actually work, oh, and let's not forget those that  "conveniently" do not work.

2 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

I was assaulted and robbed in my condo room by a Thai man weilding a large meat chopper. The condo has no security guard, but their was cctv, which the police had a very clear image of the assailant. 

 

Yeah, the police did come, took lots of photos, viewed the cctv footage, and then?

 

Nothing!

 

So what use is cctv if the police can't be bothered to find that man!

 

 

How did he get in your room?

Talking about safety at Asias most family orientated beach resort, what a about the DPP's ( Dreaded Pattaya Pavers )

Bangkok in 7th place???

Is no one watching the news anymore? Is there a week that goes by without a story from Bangkok reporting on multiple deaths on building sites?

Safety? More like surveillance.

21 hours ago, phil2407 said:

As usual forget the actual RTP doing regular patrols- too much effort let’s spend millions on CCTV - no different than the UK! 
I’m not that old but growing up bobbie on the beat - few more on Friday/ Saturday nights & now they’ve all disappeared- RTP seem like the same unless something in the news (which they should know about as is their area before hand)  - that’s just incompetent 

. More BMW smart cars should do the trick 

18 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

"Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide," but how many actually work, oh, and let's not forget those that  "conveniently" do not work.

The one that caught images of what looked like the Brat on Koh tau running away from a crime scene was definitely faulty 

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Pattaya is alot safer if you avoid contact with their ladyboy community. At least the news would make it appear that way. 

 

Even more safe if one avoids contact with the farang population.

19 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

I was assaulted and robbed in my condo room by a Thai man weilding a large meat chopper. The condo has no security guard, but their was cctv, which the police had a very clear image of the assailant. 

 

Yeah, the police did come, took lots of photos, viewed the cctv footage, and then?

 

Nothing!

 

So what use is cctv if the police can't be bothered to find that man!

 

 

. Maybe they knew him and dealt with him privately 

21 hours ago, Terry2905 said:

I was assaulted and robbed in my condo room by a Thai man weilding a large meat chopper. The condo has no security guard, but their was cctv, which the police had a very clear image of the assailant. 

 

Yeah, the police did come, took lots of photos, viewed the cctv footage, and then?

 

Nothing!

 

So what use is cctv if the police can't be bothered to find that man!

 

 

From time to time they certainly put on a good show, but I really hesitate to call them law enforcement officers, I am much more comfortable called calling them revenue collectors. 

It's pretty crazy to even discuss any large city in Thailand as being safe, relative to the rest of Asia. Most other countries in Asia take law enforcement seriously and have law enforcement agents who are not strictly revenue collectors. Thailand has never taken public safety or traffic safety seriously. There is no money in it. 

 

Perhaps at some point in the near future when the youth are allowed to govern here things like public and traffic safety will be taken seriously but for now the toxic dinosaurs just don't seem to care. They make pronouncements and declarations after there is significant amount of egg on their face, but they just don't follow up. Thai politicians and the young PM are some of the least serious people in Asia. 

21 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

"Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide," but how many actually work, oh, and let's not forget those that  "conveniently" do not work.

 

21 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

"Key to these efforts is the installation of over 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide," but how many actually work, oh, and let's not forget those that  "conveniently" do not work.

Yep award for safety due to many additional CCTV cameras!

How convenient when the RTP are involved in a crime or in their prison cells and bar murders when RTP are there.  They always say "not working"

 

Correct me if I am wrong but was not Mr Ferrari killed in prison and the cameras were not working?

Here's another one. If Thaksin was in a 5 star prison hospital  why were there not 24/7 security CCTV cameras to monitor activity 24/7? It is a prison. What a joke! You could not make this sh..t up in a fiction book.