Indian tourists in Pattaya have caused alarm after handing out fake US dollar notes as part of a staged social media content video, leaving local vendors shaken and at risk of legal trouble. The incident, reported on 27 March 2026, saw unsuspecting recipients attempt to exchange the notes, only to discover they were counterfeit. Several traders said they were nearly implicated in legal offences after unknowingly handling the fake currency.

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The warning first emerged from a Facebook user, “kittisak singto”, who posted that a group believed to be Indian tourists had been distributing money, particularly to children, while filming content. The group allegedly used fake US$100 banknotes and encouraged the public to document the activity as evidence. The post quickly gained traction online, with widespread sharing and concern among local residents.

Later that night, on 26 March 2026, reporters visited Runway Market on Pattaya Second Road to investigate. A local vendor identified as Mr Ek said two Indian men approached his gyoza stall and encountered a woman carrying a child. They initially gave the child 100 baht for filming purposes, before taking the money back and replacing it with a US$100 note given to the child’s mother and sister.

Recipients initially felt pleased, believing the foreign currency to be genuine. However, multiple vendors who later attempted to exchange the notes found they were invalid, with the word “COPY” clearly printed on them. This discovery led to anxiety among traders, who feared potential legal consequences for unknowingly attempting to use counterfeit currency.

The incident has prompted warnings to the public about the risks of accepting unfamiliar foreign banknotes, especially in informal exchanges. Handling or attempting to use counterfeit currency, even unknowingly, may constitute a legal offence under Thai law, raising concerns about the impact of such social media-driven stunts on local communities.

Amarin reported that authorities have not yet announced formal action regarding the individuals involved, but the case highlights the need for vigilance in tourist areas where content creation activities are increasingly common. Traders and residents are being urged to carefully check any foreign currency and report suspicious behaviour to prevent further incidents.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 28 Mar 2026

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