PATTAYA, Thailand – Groups of foreign children were seen begging from tourists along Pattaya Second Road on Halloween night, raising renewed concerns about the return of child begging in the popular tourist city.
At around 10pm on October 31, boys and girls were spotted sitting with plastic cups at roadside corners, behind parked cars and near traffic lights, waiting for passing tourists to give them money.
Some children quickly left the area when approached. Asked whether they were Thai, several reportedly said they were, while others offered to take people to meet their mother before suddenly running away.
Authorities from several agencies have reportedly carried out regular operations against begging in Pattaya, including arrests and procedures to return some individuals to their countries of origin. Despite these efforts, groups of beggars have continued to reappear, with some reportedly returning to the same activity.
The latest sightings raise concerns about whether adults or organized groups are bringing children into Pattaya to beg for money. Relevant agencies are being urged to establish the children’s identities and circumstances, investigate possible exploitation and ensure that child-protection measures are enforced alongside legal action. The return of child begging also raises questions about Pattaya’s efforts to maintain its image as an international tourist destination.
