PATTAYA, Thailand – A Swedish tourist paid a 500-baht fine after reaching an agreement with Pattaya municipal enforcement officers over public urination near Bali Hai Pier in the early hours of October 19.
The incident occurred at around 3:49 a.m. after the 29-year-old tourist was accused of urinating in a public place. His Thai girlfriend, 35, accompanied him to Pattaya City Police Station to report the incident, alleging that officers had initially demanded a 2,000-baht fine and that his mobile phone had been withheld.
According to the woman, the couple had been eating at a restaurant on Walking Street when her boyfriend left to urinate. He later messaged her, saying that officials had demanded 2,000 baht. He reportedly asked for the amount to be reduced to 500 baht because he did not have enough cash, but was told that a receipt had already been issued. He also did not have his passport with him, as it had been left at his accommodation. Police recorded the complaint and accompanied the couple to Bali Hai Pier, where the Swedish tourist identified the enforcement officer involved and pointed out the location of the incident.
Kritsada Boonnu, a Pattaya municipal enforcement officer stationed at the pier, confirmed that a fine had been imposed for public urination under local cleanliness regulations. He presented a receipt bearing the tourist’s signature and maintained that he had followed the proper procedures. The officer also denied confiscating the tourist’s mobile phone, explaining that the visitor had placed it down himself.
Following discussions between the parties, the fine was reduced to 500 baht, which the tourist paid. His girlfriend subsequently apologized to the officer over the misunderstanding concerning the phone, and the matter ended without further confrontation.
