File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya, Thailand, has been identified as the eighth worst city globally for pickpocketing and scams, according to a report by Compare the Market, a U.K.-based insurance price comparison site. The city scored 44.43 out of 100 points, with about 3.1 scam mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews. Visitors are particularly advised to be cautious in street vendor areas and nightlife districts.

 

This ranking comes as part of a study analyzing over 75 cities worldwide based on the frequency of theft and scam mentions in tourist reviews. The report highlighted Pattaya’s vibrant party atmosphere as a magnet for opportunists. Notably, street vendors and nightlife hotspots are common places where travelers often report security concerns.

 

Pattaya is located approximately two hours from Bangkok and is known for its long beaches, Buddhist pagodas, and entertainment venues. Despite its attractions, it, along with other cities like Bangkok, which was rated as the worst, and Phuket, which placed ninth, show increased potential risks for tourists. Experts note that these factors may affect the city's reputation among international visitors.

 

Tourism in Thailand has seen a decline, with foreign tourist arrivals dropping by 7.54% to 25.1 million from January 1 to October 12 compared to the previous year, according to the Tourism Ministry. The list’s rankings, and their implications, might impact Thailand’s tourist-dependent economy if perceptions do not improve.

 

Looking ahead, tourism authorities may need to enhance safety measures and tourist education to address and mitigate these concerns. Efforts may include more visible security presence and public awareness campaigns to assure tourists of their safety.

 

Key Takeaways

• Pattaya was ranked the 8th worst for scams, affecting its tourist image.
• Bangkok and Phuket also appeared on the list, raising national concerns.
• Tourism in Thailand faces a decline, urging potential safety measures.

 

Related Stories

Pattaya : Finnish Tourists’ $2,000 Gone Without a Trace

Pattaya Mayor Targets Infrastructure, Codes, and Cleanups

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-10-30

 

 

8th worst meaning Bangkok was rated (1st) worst, quite a shocking statistic considering

Just now, smedly said:

8th worst meaning Bangkok was rated (1st) worst, quite a shocking statistic considering

yep, apparently Bangkok is the #1 🤣

 

https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/the-worlds-worst-cities-for-pickpockets-and-scams-ranked-135545278.html

 

Thailand has most cities (3) in the top 10.

 

China and India tie with 2 each.

 

France, Italy and Czech Republic 1 each.

 

 

 

 

Pocket change !

So, are we supposed to believe that the 10 cities mentioned are worse than anywhere else in the entire world, LOL!!!!

wow, good thing i used belly belt then

Compare the Market.com uses Russian Meerkats to get their message across in their TV ads. I wonder if the said animals compiled this survey. 

Good news for the tourists to be informed.. And the Government and TAT are asking why they don;t come anymore.. Pattaya a family destination to be robbed or scammed..

Lol... 3.1 scams per 1000 visitors, you have to be kidding me, pfft. Like so many of these puff pieces, they are living in a parallel universe.

What no netcitizens outrage ? 

But do the Thaivisa/AseanNow members suffer from said issues ?!

 

Quote

Pattaya Ranks 8th Worst Globally for Pickpockets and Scams

 

Find that a bit hard to believe. 

2 hours ago, quake said:

 

Find that a bit hard to believe. 

 

Agree!   Never seen or heard of a pick-pocket there.  Most of them are in Europe AFAIK

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Pattaya is located approximately two hours from Bangkok and is known for its long beaches, Buddhist pagodas, and entertainment venues.

 

mmmm.   methinks the collators of said report by Compare the Market have no idea what they are talking about!

Not surprising as with all the drunks around at 4am, very easy it seems to rob the sex tourists. 

11 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Not surprising as with all the drunks around at 4am, very easy it seems to rob the sex tourists. 

 

I think many European cities are much worse. They pickpocket in the middle of the day.

Then what about countries like Egypt? 

Not sure if this survey is accurate. 

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

 

I think many European cities are much worse. They pickpocket in the middle of the day.

Then what about countries like Egypt? 

Not sure if this survey is accurate. 

of course there will always be worse or better elsewhere. but is that a reason to minimize the very disturbing issue here in Thailand ? As that's what it's abou. 

About time the world get informed..3 cities in Thailand on the top 10 list.The whole country is going down.

What does the government do? NOTHING FOR SURE!!!

Make it harder for expats for sure.. dual pricing.. scammers everywhere.. manipulate the baht for sure..let the girls get away with stealing the house and cars the foreigner have paid for.The list is much longer.

For 20 years, in Pattaya, I leave my shopping on my motorbike while i go into other shops, sometimes for long periods. I have never had anything stolen. I've never lived anywhere that is safer. In Australia, if it isn't bolted down, kiss it goodbye. Pickpockets? The whole survey is 100% bs.

Methìnks Compare the Màrket hàs been watching too much YouTube.

6 hours ago, brfsa2 said:

yep, apparently Bangkok is the #1 🤣

 

https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/the-worlds-worst-cities-for-pickpockets-and-scams-ranked-135545278.html

Fake news, it should read Bangkok number 1 and Pattaya number 8

7 hours ago, smedly said:

8th worst meaning Bangkok was rated (1st) worst, quite a shocking statistic considering

 

Over the years, encountered numerous scams in Thailand, but most of the time in, or near Bangkok. Never had a problem in Pattaya, and in Phuket mostly the airport minibus scam, where they stop half-way at a travel agency, trying to sell you hotel bookings.

 

As for pickpockets, Bangkok is bad, but China (e.g. Shenzhen) is much worse.

4 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Over the years, encountered numerous scams in Thailand, but most of the time in, or near Bangkok. Never had a problem in Pattaya, and in Phuket mostly the airport minibus scam, where they stop half-way at a travel agency, trying to sell you hotel bookings.

I have been to Pats about 17 times and never got scammed.

Well scams more then pickpocketing but that very high ranking does come across as smelling fishy.

7 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

I think many European cities are much worse. They pickpocket in the middle of the day.

Then what about countries like Egypt? 

Not sure if this survey is accurate. 

That was my thought too.... if Youtube is to be believed every European Capital's transport network is plagued with gangs of Romanian pick pockets, scammers too on the streets. 

11 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Compare the Market.com uses Russian Meerkats to get their message across in their TV ads. I wonder if the said animals compiled this survey. 

I hate those bloody meerkats. If a compare the market ad comes on I am rushing for the off button. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine there was a campaign to ban the meerkats but they are still here with that condenscending Russian accent.

10 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

I think many European cities are much worse. They pickpocket in the middle of the day.

Then what about countries like Egypt? 

Not sure if this survey is accurate. 

London is phone theft capital of the world, frequently just grabbed out of your hand.

 

Add in the knife crime and gangs of illegal immigrants turning town centres into no go areas, I'd certainly rather be in any Thai city. 

Seems like Thailand has been rising with this, although other places have been listed for years.........https://www.islands.com/1704398/tourist-destinations-around-world-highest-worst-pickpocketing/ Europe has always lead for quite a long time and is still in the running.....................https://travelbinger.com/6-countries-where-pickpocketing-has-surged-among-tourists-in-2025/.

Pattaya needs to work harder to become Number One.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya, Thailand, has been identified as the eighth worst city globally for pickpocketing and scams, according to a report by Compare the Market, a U.K.-based insurance price comparison site. The city scored 44.43 out of 100 points, with about 3.1 scam mentions per 1,000 visitor reviews. Visitors are particularly advised to be cautious in street vendor areas and nightlife districts.

 

This ranking comes as part of a study analyzing over 75 cities worldwide based on the frequency of theft and scam mentions in tourist reviews. The report highlighted Pattaya’s vibrant party atmosphere as a magnet for opportunists. Notably, street vendors and nightlife hotspots are common places where travelers often report security concerns.

 

Pattaya is located approximately two hours from Bangkok and is known for its long beaches, Buddhist pagodas, and entertainment venues. Despite its attractions, it, along with other cities like Bangkok, which was rated as the worst, and Phuket, which placed ninth, show increased potential risks for tourists. Experts note that these factors may affect the city's reputation among international visitors.

 

Tourism in Thailand has seen a decline, with foreign tourist arrivals dropping by 7.54% to 25.1 million from January 1 to October 12 compared to the previous year, according to the Tourism Ministry. The list’s rankings, and their implications, might impact Thailand’s tourist-dependent economy if perceptions do not improve.

 

Looking ahead, tourism authorities may need to enhance safety measures and tourist education to address and mitigate these concerns. Efforts may include more visible security presence and public awareness campaigns to assure tourists of their safety.

 

Key Takeaways

• Pattaya was ranked the 8th worst for scams, affecting its tourist image.
• Bangkok and Phuket also appeared on the list, raising national concerns.
• Tourism in Thailand faces a decline, urging potential safety measures.

 

Related Stories

Pattaya : Finnish Tourists’ $2,000 Gone Without a Trace

Pattaya Mayor Targets Infrastructure, Codes, and Cleanups

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-10-30

 

 

Pattaya known for its long beaches? ....known for what  i wonder?