PATTAYA, Thailand – Some expats in Pattaya are scratching their heads after reports emerged suggesting that Thailand may consider additional screening measures for foreign visitors as violent clashes continue to make headlines in Pattaya, Phuket, and Bangkok.
“Screen them how exactly?” one long-term resident asked. “Visitors already fill out arrival cards, get photographed, and have their fingerprints taken on entry. What else do they expect—some sort of stress test at immigration?”
The idea of testing travelers for “mental stress” or other vague behavioral issues has been met with ridicule among parts of the expat community. Critics argue that it would be impossible to fairly and effectively assess the mindset of millions of tourists arriving each month without descending into a bureaucratic nightmare.
“What would they be looking for—tattoos, heavy drinking, the wrong haircut?” another expat scoffed. “If Thai authorities are serious about safety, then focus on policing nightlife zones properly, not inventing unworkable screening schemes.”
The skepticism is rooted in a wider frustration. As violent altercations between foreigners and locals continue to surface in Pattaya’s entertainment districts, Phuket’s nightlife, and even on Bangkok’s streets, expats say the response from officials often leans toward headline-grabbing announcements rather than practical solutions.
“Safety is a real concern,” a Pattaya resident admitted. “But pretending you can filter out bad behavior at the airport is nonsense. What matters is consistent enforcement of existing laws on the ground.”
For now, the talk of “screening” remains vague. But among expats, the reaction is clear: they don’t see how another form to fill out, or another photo at immigration, will stop the next clash outside a beer bar.
