PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has ordered three municipal enforcement officers suspended from duty while disciplinary and legal proceedings continue over allegations that officials demanded money from foreign tourists without issuing official receipts.
The case followed a video circulated online showing a group of officials allegedly collecting money from tourists, reportedly citing violations involving smoking and modified motorcycle exhausts but without following official procedures for issuing fines and receipts.
Pattaya City identified six people involved in the case — three municipal enforcement officers and three outsourced workers from a private company. The three outsourced workers were removed from duty by their employer on August 10 after Pattaya City asked the company to investigate and obtain explanations from them. The three municipal officers were placed under a serious disciplinary investigation on August 20.
Pattaya City also filed a complaint with Pattaya Police Station on August 21 against all six people over alleged misconduct in office and collecting money without legal authority. Mayor Poramet said the case remains with investigators and that Pattaya City has now ordered the three municipal officers suspended pending the investigation.
He said the allegations had affected Pattaya’s image and tourist confidence, while stressing that the disciplinary process must follow official procedures and give the accused a fair hearing. If the investigation establishes misconduct, disciplinary action could range from a salary reduction to dismissal or termination, alongside any criminal proceedings under the law.
Poramet also instructed city personnel to carry out their duties transparently and according to regulations, particularly as incidents can quickly reach a global audience through social media.
Tourists and residents who encounter alleged demands for unofficial payments or other improper conduct can report complaints to the Pattaya City Hotline at 1337, which provides multilingual assistance, or directly to the city’s complaints center.
