Pattaya Police Inundated with Tourist-related crimes

[webfact]

Pattaya Police Inundated with Tourist-related crimes



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday, Pattaya Police dealt with 4 criminal cases involving Tourists in the space of 30 minutes.

The first case involved Mr. Jayesh Kumar Ambarambhai aged 48 from India who was walking along Pattaya Beach close to the Tropicana Hotel when two Ladyboy’s approached him, embraced him and allegedly stole 900 US Dollars from his trouser pocket.

The next victim was Mr. Ian Pickford aged 55 from United Kingdom who was on a Baht Bus with his wife when a Thai Woman jumped-on and sat between the victim and his wife. When the pair returned to their Hotel Mr. Pickford realized that his wallet containing 24,000 Baht and 100 Pounds Sterling had been taken during the journey from Soi 7 to the front of Soi 2 on Pattaya Second Road.

Mr. Meisam Shirazi aged 34 from Iran was the next to report a crime. He claimed that as he walked along Pattaya Beach in front of Soi 4, a group of between 4-5 Ladyboy’s approached him and during an embrace a gold necklace worth a reported 200,000 Baht was removed from around his neck.

Full story: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/132149/pattaya-police-inundated-with-tourist-related-crimes/


-- Pattaya One 2014-06-19

[terryp]

This is Pattaya why the suprise? its been like this for DECADES

[ClutchClark]

Why do tourists carry so many valuables as they saunter and galavant about?

[shirtless]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

[thumper101]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

I would say that was a miscalculated analysis.

Even if tourist numbers are down, why would there be an increase in this sort of crime?

These crimes are actually very skilled and these people are professionals. These are career criminals.

We all know the vast majority of ladyboys are out and out criminals.... They do this sort of thing no matter how many tourists are in town.

So do the pickpockets.

They can make more in one snatch, than an honest Thai worker can make in a year.

[mrtoad]

As already said why are people carrying around so much in cash. It's really quite naive to be honest.

[alant]

As already said why are people carrying around so much in cash. It's really quite naive to be honest.

That doesn't make it right though. These girls are really good at lifting wallets, I know from personal experience. I set off after breakfast to go shopping. It isn't just he cash that vanished when my wallet did, cards, licence, a real pain to sort. and the police, well here is your report for your insurance Mr rich farang...

[Pattaya46]

As already said why are people carrying around so much in cash.

It's really quite naive to be honest.

It's even stupid when it's in a deserted area at 4 in the morning !

Would they do that at home? No.

[shirtless]

In time we will see if your statement is correct,

[JesseFrank]

As already said why are people carrying around so much in cash.

It's really quite naive to be honest.

It's even stupid when it's in a deserted area at 4 in the morning !

Would they do that at home? No.

Is it written all over your face how much you have in your pocket ?

Why people can't keep their hands where they belong e.g. in their own pockets instead of those of a tourist.

[captnhoy]

In time we will see if your statement is correct,

WELL SAID! Thanks for your contribution.

[phantomfiddler]

200,000 Bht in a necklace ! Sounds like an insurance job to me

[Pralaad]

The very same tourists from India who bargain for 200 baht girls ? Or same tourists from Iran who look for cheapest rooms? Or same big spenders who take baht bus?

One thing they all have in common and that is loads of cash and gold

[Kerryd]

I'm guessing a lot of people are carrying so much cash on them for a couple of reasons. No credit card or ATM card to access their home bank (or if they have them, a large withdrawal to save money on fees compared to many, smaller transactions).

Also, travelling with just "cash in hand" doesn't leave as much of an electronic (traceable) footprint, for those who may be worried if "Pattaya, Thailand" starts showing up on transaction records. I actually knew a guy who ended up being divorced over that !

Also, given what we've seen/heard of the "safes" in various hotels, it's probably better to keep your valuables with you. At least then if you are robbed you may be able to identify the person that did it. I think a lot of people, especially if they are travelling in foreign countries for the first time, feel safer keeping their money/valuables with them.

I remember travelling in Egypt in 2005 - I kept my cash and passport with me at all times as I didn't trust leaving them in the hotel (or cruise ship) safe, and never knew when I'd be close to an ATM (or if it would even work with my ATM card - not all do as I've found out over the years). Same thing when I was in India (especially there, as I wasn't staying in "hi class" accommodations). In Dubai I keep everything with me as well, though I'm usually not there long enough to worry about it.

However, wandering around almost anywhere with over $6,000 USD worth of gold hanging around your neck is just asking for trouble. He's lucky they just stole it. In some places he'd have been killed for it.

[BigSkip]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

Gee........You Mean Supply & Demand?????????

[Larry001]

Lesson to be learnt. Only carry what you need. I never carry a wallet. It sitting in your pocket is an invitation. I got pick pocketed in Athens. It happens everywhere.

[John1thru10]

Sorry for the shocking nature of this, but being the most obvious tourist imaginable, with a wallet overflowing with cash, wearing gold jewelery, and strolling through an area known for prosititutes and crime in a poor country (here's the shocking part now, get ready)...is both stupid and obscenely arrogant.

[seabass69]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

I would say that was a miscalculated analysis.

Even if tourist numbers are down, why would there be an increase in this sort of crime?

These crimes are actually very skilled and these people are professionals. These are career criminals.

We all know the vast majority of ladyboys are out and out criminals.... They do this sort of thing no matter how many tourists are in town.

So do the pickpockets.

They can make more in one snatch, than an honest Thai worker can make in a year.

I would say that your analysis is miscalculated. We all know the vast majority of ladyboys don't have a snatch

[i claudius]

looks like there will be some large insurance claims ,funny they have so much gold or money on them when out for a stroll.

[jacko45k]

Why do tourists carry so many valuables as they saunter and galavant about?

Perhaps for some it is their first time here and they feel leaving them in the hotel room, or safe is less secure.

It is also a question as to why Pattaya police tolerate the ladyboys hanging around pestering/ assaulting and robbing people, and the notorious pick-pockets riding around on the baht buses. Strangely enough, when I clocked them once, they all got off and not one of them paid... it was a group of 3.

Edited June 19, 2014 by jacko45k

[ChrisY1]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

I would say that was a miscalculated analysis.

Even if tourist numbers are down, why would there be an increase in this sort of crime?

These crimes are actually very skilled and these people are professionals. These are career criminals.

We all know the vast majority of ladyboys are out and out criminals.... They do this sort of thing no matter how many tourists are in town.

So do the pickpockets.

They can make more in one snatch, than an honest Thai worker can make in a year.

They can make more in (or with) one snatch

[Boatfreak]

As already said why are people carrying around so much in cash. It's really quite naive to be honest.

Because everywhere you have to pay cash, no restaurant or bar will accept credit cards nor any shops except the big supermarket.

[slygeeza]

no reason for there to be pickpockets all along the beach. its obviously a well used public area and it wouldnt be difficult to police it. maybe they need to bring the army in as the police in Pattaya obviously dont have a clue

[Lancelot]

They do it because, well, they can and crime does pay very well. Not much down side for locals committing crimes against foreigners.

Yeah,there are the professional criminals that would steal not matter how many tourists visit, but there is usually a correlation between unemployment and rising crime. Some locals who normally don't engage in criminal activities will go for it when their incomes suddenly drop. Not unique to Thailand- this happens world wide...

[Rimmer]

An off topic grammar police post has been removed along with replies:

3. If possible please proofread your post first, poor grammar and spelling can make the post difficult to understand. However be aware that not every member is a native english speaker and excessive posts regarding others spelling and grammar not only hijacks the topic but is poor netiquette.

[ttthailand]

It appears that ladyboys cause a high percentage of the pickpocket crime. Basically if a ladyboy gets near you be on guard. Keep out of reach of all ladyboys as you don't know which ones to trust.

[Cake Monster]

No tourists = no money = more crime ( fact )

Have to feed family

[kieran2698]

The downturn in tourism usually results in a crime increase, I think many Thais are currently finding it harder to make a living if they rely on tourism.

I would say that was a miscalculated analysis.

Even if tourist numbers are down, why would there be an increase in this sort of crime?

These crimes are actually very skilled and these people are professionals. These are career criminals.

We all know the vast majority of ladyboys are out and out criminals.... They do this sort of thing no matter how many tourists are in town.

So do the pickpockets.

They can make more in one snatch, than an honest Thai worker can make in a year.

The vast majority of ladyboys that I see are in normal jobs

[bartender100]

The ladyboys I have seen hang around at the beach end of Soi13 where there is a dark area, they are very difficult to handle when they come at you on mass, even if you are an experienced traveler

[Andre0720]

INUNDATED they were...

They had to deal with all of 4 cases....Busy busy busy..