Pakistanis Arrested Over Herbal Scam in Pattaya

Thai immigration police in Chonburi have arrested six Pakistani nationals accused of targeting tourists in Pattaya with misleading herbal remedy sales pitches, allegedly claiming the products could regrow hair, reduce belly fat and deliver visible results within weeks. Authorities said the operation had caused significant damage to Pattaya’s tourism image, with victims reportedly losing amounts ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of baht.

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The arrests were carried out at 00.10am on 19 June 2026 following orders from Pol Col Napatsapong Khositsuriyamanee, Superintendent of Chonburi Immigration. The operation was led by Pol Lt Col Kavinwat Arayasuriwong, Deputy Superintendent, and Pol Lt Col Kittipat Hongchuwech, Inspector, together with an immigration investigation team. All six suspects were charged with working in Thailand without permission.

Investigators said the group operated herbal shops in Pattaya and targeted foreign tourists, particularly Indian visitors who were overweight or experiencing hair loss. The suspects allegedly promoted products using exaggerated health claims before selling them for prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of baht, despite the products being widely available on the open market.

Authorities said some tourists were pressured or intimidated into making purchases. Investigators also cited previous incidents in which members of the group allegedly behaved aggressively, including an altercation with the president of the Pattaya Indian Association while he was recording a warning video for Indian tourists. The suspects were also accused of fighting with customers who refused to buy products.

Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 

The investigation followed numerous complaints and an extended evidence-gathering operation by Chonburi Immigration Police. Officers worked with an Indian informant who posed as a tourist in areas along Pattaya Beach Road and Second Road, locations where the suspects allegedly approached potential customers and directed them to shops selling the products at heavily inflated prices.

Police said some victims had spent tens of thousands of baht on the products. During searches of the shops, officers reportedly found multiple cash receipts worth more than 300,000 baht in total, while some individual victims were believed to have lost more than 60,000 baht.

Officials noted that similar crackdowns had been conducted in the past, but new groups often returned and adapted their methods by employing Thai nationals to work in shops and handle sales in an effort to avoid prosecution for illegal employment.

The suspects told investigators they had entered Thailand on tourist visas and received commissions from sales after directing tourists into the shops. They were transferred to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings, while authorities continue efforts to identify and prosecute those believed to be behind the wider network.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 19 June 2026

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