In 15 years spend 3 - 7 months in Pattaya I have never experienced pickpocketing, although in less than 1 week in New Orleans and Paris I did have my pocket picked.

 

RE scams, the worst I've experienced are government sponsored scams at Jomtiem Immigration and BIB

3 spots on the top 10.  very impressive. 

Yeah better getting pickpocketed than getting stabbed as you would in London, hypocrites

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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.

Later today TAT will announce a surge in visitors to the Family Friendly centre of the Universe.

     Let's correct that poor headline with what should be the headline:  'Bangkok ranks worst globally for pickpockets and scams, with Pattaya and Phuket ranked 8th and 9th.'   Anytime you are doing a ranking story, whatever is ranked #1 should be featured first in the headline, not also-rans.   

15 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

In 15 years spend 3 - 7 months in Pattaya I have never experienced pickpocketing, although in less than 1 week in New Orleans and Paris I did have my pocket picked.

 

RE scams, the worst I've experienced are government sponsored scams at Jomtiem Immigration and BIB

     Same for me, living here in Pattaya full-time for 15 years.  I feel much safer here than where I lived in the US and with many of the places I have visited around the world.  

I wonder how many of these complaints are registered from Indian sausage handlers claiming stolen gold necklaces for insurance scam 

The continent of Africa seems to have been missed on this survey. Nigerian cities alone would secure most of the top 10 places.  

Those rankings are meaningless. Tomorrow another one could rank the city at number one spot in Asia for i don't know, the biggest surfing waves..... Pattaya actually used to be fun and  nice (yes, "Nice"), good vibes. But that was before. It is clearly no more . Cheers

Lemme guess,  London is number 1?

Maybe getting ranked 8th is artificially driven by the fact that every Indian seems to lose a gold necklace worth 20k THB in Pats to a LB. 

 

But, then again, it's a UK survey.

 

Same as all the other BS surveys and rankings.  Almost as bad as using the word "best"...that's never a true statement  - ever hear this "best" statement..._______..."voted the best beach".  Best is subjective; there's always something better.

17 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

 

 

It would be more accurate to say it is 8th worst in a very limited survey of 75 tourist destinations by a limited number of people.

Prior to moving to Thailand we spent 6 months in Spain and 6 months in the UK each year. You had to be constantly on your guard in Spain, distraction thefts from supermarket car parks are rife. Any unattended bags on the front seat while you pack shopping in the boot or returned a shopping trolley were a prime target. Beach thefts of unattended possessions was common.
Another was frequent “hugger muggers” incidents, where elderly people were targeted by women. Victims found watches and chains gone in a flash as the muggers fled in a waiting nearby car. 

I feel much more relaxed in Pattaya and leave my helmet on my bike, which is a rare sight in either Spain or the UK.

 

One pickpocketing method here in Pattaya people need to be aware of.  This happened to me once and was attempted by the same group a second time.  

 

Here is the method:  A group of three, but sometimes only two, Thais will board a songtao that already has a number of foreigners on it.  One of these Thais sits down right next (usually touching close on a crowded songtao) to a foreigner.  The Thai squeezed in beside you will have a large bag of some sort (which he uses to cover his lap).  They particularly like foreigners with baggy shorts, with easy front pockets.  He then picks the pocket.

 

The first attempt was successful in stealing my phone (a small, non-smart phone).   Smooooooth!  An expert at work!   The second attempt a couple of years later by the same group didn't succeed because I recognized them and warned the others on the songtao.  On that occasion, the perpetrator actually moved from one side to sit directly next to me. 

 

Although I haven't used songtaos in many years now, I have seen the same group of 3 at least 20 times over the last 10 years (including about 2 weeks ago), waiting on the pavement for a songtao to come along -- they will wave it on until they find one with just enough room for one or two to squeeze in beside the targeted "mark."

 

The group I have mentioned happens to include a disheveled-looking ladyboy and his two accomplices.  The accomplices often sit opposite the ladyboy and act to draw the mark's attention.

 

 

2 hours ago, sungod said:

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

 

Always got warned by locals in Vietnam, esp. in HCMC, but never had someone attempt that. 

Only 8 on a world listing.

Come on all you degenerates, TRY HARDER

Another psyop piece from the UK.

 

The method remains the same: discourage travel abroad.

 

The Elites want your axrse nailed to the floor in Nottingham till you drop dead.

 

As for thieves and pickpockets, shoot them, shoot them all, firing squad style.

I lived in Paris for almost 40 years, and then moved to Bangkok 7 years ago.  I read the article pointed to by the link in the comments above, although I haven’t read the actual study.  I really question the validity of this study based on my observations.  I love Paris, but my wife and I feel 10x more secure here in Bangkok.  Is there some crime in Thailand?  Yes, of course.  But nothing on the scale of what we felt in Paris.  I couldn’t disagree more with the said conclusions of this report.  

Well I think most here will say Pattaya,s reputation is not exactly rosy and appealing to quality family tourists coming to Thailand 

It's reputation is known  world wide for bars  girls ect

Seems like Thailand’s new reports are getting much worse, although I’m sure there will be another story soon about how Thailand is one of the top destinations for something. 

Total and utter BS of the highest order.  Never had anything stolen here or pocketpicked!  You can leave stuff in the back of pickups or bikes. Never anything taken. Yes, i am sure things do happen and morons do get scammed but it is much much worse in (southern) European cities not to mention latin America  and several US cities. 

13 hours ago, JensenX said:

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.

Obviously, the goods left on the motorbike are of poor quality. A lady friend of mine in Surin  told me they  don’t grow bananas,  durian ,  avocado etc because people come along and steal it all. Steal chickens and pigs. She said they will take the eye out of your head and come back for the hole.

Theft and scams happens everywhere in the world, especially in touristic areas. Still, anywhere in Thailand do I feel safe putting my phone on a table next to me without it being stolen. Numerous times have I left the keys on my bike or in my car without any problems. Try that in Europe.

I got robbed once on Karon beach 22 years ago. There was nobody around. Went swimming with a friend and we left our bags on the beach. Guess we are to blame for that. And once I forgot my laptop in my restaurant which is an open place. Also myself to blame. Apart from that, never a problem in 23 years of living here + 10 before that as a tourist 

If grabbing a gold necklace off a tourists neck was considered pickpocketting, Pattaya would probably be higher ranked!

You can't trust "surveys" like this. Which countries are included and which aren't? This is related to the insurance industry, so narrowly targeted accordingly. 

For someone who's lived in Thailand for two decades but never lived in Pattaya, it's quite astonishing how often that town is in the news for crimes committed against tourists, and all kinds of trouble. 

 

Obviously it's a big city and the crimes that we hear about are likely committed in a very small area, but the place certainly has quite a reputation. 

Get on the train in Italy or  go to Spain,the pickpockets work in gangs around the clock,scumbags

19 hours ago, quake said:

Find that a bit hard to believe. 

Not so hard to believe in Pattaya's case.

Hiring a jet ski is a nice little earner for the less than honest owners...........

17 hours ago, G Rex said:

 

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

 

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

You've never been on a baht bus then, they are full of little thieving pickpockets and certain drivers are in cahoots with them. Big divvy up after the driver finishes work. Caught one last year trying to get his hand in my pocket swiped the bar steward with a backhander across his chops, he ran off down a Soi without payment to the driver, 1hr later saw him travelling opposite direction on the same baht bus. Draw your own conclusions 

20 hours ago, LennyW said:

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

Um...yes.

Can you prove otherwise.

...And Yet, Some Here Consistently Find A Way To Lay Blame On The Victims... (?)

 

...Especially If They Happen To Be Of A Different Nationality... (?)