Report Pattaya Plans AI Drone Patrols to Hunt Overstayers and Crooks in Real Time

[xtrnuno41]

WHy drones? Just hang the city full of cams with the appropriate software in receiving end.

China has it, millions of cams. They can even tell what your mood is.

No flying, but stationary cams , everywhere. AI connection doing all work in jiffy time.

In "my"country now cams which can detect, if you are using your phone while driving. 

Fully automatic fine on your adres.

License plates detected and AI check on all, like paid tax, open fines and so on.

But making photo's , films not in violation then with Thai law, not allowed to make clear pics of people?!

The law has to change.

[roger101]

Wow. A drone that can recognise overstayers.

[Ironmike]

Look out people if the Thai coppers found Farangs having sex anywhere they would have it on you porn making money out of it..... Why put drones in a sh+thole like Pattaya they'd be getting stolen everyday 

[Gottfrid]

This is an awesome idea? As soon as we see a drone, we will automatically take up our passport and let then photo copy the last stamp page. 

[treetops]

Photographs taken at immigration on entry and used with facial recognition software processing the drone video feeds.  Not inconceivable?

[Jim Blue]

10 hours ago, baansgr said:

Just try looking befor you cross and.domr.be so entitled 👍 

I'll keep an eye out and remember to bow next time your driving past  

[waders123]

Moving toward a police state atmosphere—what could possibly go wrong with uploading raw public footage into an AI database? The constant buzz of drones overhead while trying to enjoy a peaceful holiday isn’t exactly inviting.  Just what Thailand needs: another reason for travelers to consider neighboring countries where they can relax without feeling monitored or unwelcome.

[parafareno]

they will have a hq at soi6 where there is no illegal stuff happening

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, ryandb said:

 

It's not obtuse, it's plain, simple logic, is it worth an employee risking their employment by looking out for their employer's interest over 1k baht for themselves? And if the person is only a few days over then it's not even worth the IO offering the reward....

Did you pay for the 1 week argument or only the 24 hour one?

Logic, in Thai mentality. Have you ever been here?

[baansgr]

6 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

I'll keep an eye out and remember to bow next time your driving past  

Thankyou

[damian]

Fear not. As soon as the battery expires that will be the end of it. 

[twizzian]

I wonder if they will be flying illegally after sunset

[10baht]

On 6/10/2025 at 4:50 PM, snoop1130 said:

a broader strategy to combine technology with traditional policing methods.

Will the drones be fully equipt?

[freedomnow]

Like something out of Blade Runner, hunting robot hookers.

[BritScot]

On 6/11/2025 at 12:18 AM, save the frogs said:

 

Of course many will see it a totalitarianism.

But one could also view it as a utopia where street crime will be almost nonexistant. 

No one is watching you 24/7 if you're not doing anything illegal.

Criminals need to be worried. 

Two points: 1. This will be another nail in the tourist and expat coffin! Who wants to go on a very expensive holiday or retier only to be spied on 24/7, buzzed by drones or be in a place that is so dangerous it requires you to be monitored. 2. Is Thailand so unsafe and dangerous now that  you need to be recorded 24/7, have your own personal drones follow you? And I can just see the future "Drone tax to be collected at airports in cash only".

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, BritScot said:

Two points: 1. This will be another nail in the tourist and expat coffin! Who wants to go on a very expensive holiday or retier only to be spied on 24/7, buzzed by drones or be in a place that is so dangerous it requires you to be monitored. 2. Is Thailand so unsafe and dangerous now that  you need to be recorded 24/7, have your own personal drones follow you? And I can just see the future "Drone tax to be collected at airports in cash only".

 

No, it's the opposite.

Drones will make it safer. 

No one is spying on you unless you're doing sth illegal. 

You know it's not that dangerous and most incidents can be avoided with precaution. 

 

[Jenkins9039]

On 6/10/2025 at 4:50 PM, snoop1130 said:

FIle photo for reference only

 

In an ambitious bid to modernise its approach to public safety, the bustling beach city of Pattaya has unveiled plans to deploy AI-powered police drones. Mayor Poramese Ngampichet, alongside Police Lieutenant Colonel Torlap Tinamat, the head of Pattaya’s Tourist Police, announced this initiative during a high-profile briefing. The goal is clear: to keep the city safe, welcoming, and free from those with outstanding legal troubles.

 

The drones are part of a broader strategy to combine technology with traditional policing methods. These drones are equipped to integrate seamlessly with a centralised AI database. This advanced system can scan crowds during major city events and identify individuals either wanted for past infractions or overstaying their visas. This innovative approach demonstrates Pattaya's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance security and efficiency, ensuring both locals and tourists feel secure.

 

"We believe this initiative will significantly boost Pattaya’s reputation as a safe haven for both visitors and residents," Mayor Poramese stated confidently. The plan isn’t just about safety; it’s about positioning Pattaya as a forward-thinking city ready to embrace the latest technological advancements for the public good.

 

While this bold move has generated excitement and support from many quarters, it's not without its critics. In his bluntly titled open letter, “Dear Sir,” Alan French, a long-time foreign visitor, raised concerns that the emphasis on high-tech policing and large-scale public events is overshadowing the city’s core needs. He accused the mayor of focusing excessively on spectacle—such as firework festivals and themed parades—rather than addressing essential aspects like infrastructure and the overall quality of life for everyday residents.

 

These criticisms underscore a broader debate within the community. As Pattaya moves towards this tech-driven future, there's a palpable tension between its innovative aspirations and the everyday practicalities that residents face. Proponents of the drone initiative argue that such measures are fitting for a city with extensive tourist traffic and will enhance security without imposing on the daily lives of those who call Pattaya home.

 

Conversely, detractors worry that this focus on advanced technology might divert attention from necessary improvements in other critical areas such as roads, public transportation, and local services. They call for a balanced development approach, ensuring the city remains not just a tourist destination but also a well-rounded community.

 

Amidst the bright promise of new technology and the practical concerns of everyday citizens, Pattaya stands at a crossroads. As the city prepares for its drones to take flight, officials find themselves tasked with bridging the gap between innovative crime prevention and maintaining a well-functioning urban environment. It’s a delicate balance, one that will require careful consideration and ongoing dialogue between city leaders and the community.

 

As Pattaya charts its future, this blend of progress and preservation will define not only its present reality but its path in the years to come. It's a journey that many will be watching with keen interest, hoping for a model that could transform urban living well beyond Pattaya's city limits.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-10

 

 

Fast turning into Little China.

[Sydebolle]

Give 'em ten out of ten for trying. I looked up the date and no, it is not 1 April. What a beautiful brain fart again 😉 

[Formaleins]

You could have a party if you had a half decent air rifle.

[harryviking]

Hmmmm....I wonder how overstayers can be seen from the sky.....🤣🤣

[toho]

Seems like Thailand is becoming a copy of Big Brother China, where privacy is 0,0.

And why this plan? We all have to identify ourselves at Immigration when entering or leaving Thailand. 

They have all details in their computer, including our passport picture.

So why this nonsense, that is attacking our privacy even more?

 

I have been living here for 19 years.

And it is becoming increasingly unpleasant.

This privacy attack is a a red line that they are crossing.

One more reason to sell and leave.

 

Every day news about a new LED Walking Street sign. Is that priority number one?

Instead why not: 

- repair pavements and streets?

- confiscating loud motorbikes and polluting cars?

- clean streets and land, where people leave rubbish and building material??

- check dangerous electric poles in the streets?

I think these are some of the more important actions to focus on in order to make people happy.

[dallen52]

They should get off their backsides and put the phone down. 

And practice active policing. 

A new set of infringement notices they should enforce. 

 

 

[Scouse123]

On 6/11/2025 at 8:16 AM, Mark17AA said:

I'm somewhat disappointed that there is no mention of a Hub.

 

or a crackdown, whilst they are ' mulling over ' the situation.

[Scouse123]

There are 230,000 of them in the RTP that could be out enforcing the laws, but they only want the money from fines.

 

Just like Immigration, they don't want to stand up for foreigners who obey the law regarding visas; they want dodgy foreigners who will pay an agent to get a ' rogue ' visa, for which they get a cut of the fees paid.