Law
Pattaya City Officials Suspended Following Extortion Allegations
Pattaya City has suspended six individuals, including municipal officers and outsourced staff, following reports of illegal fines collected from tourists at Bali Hai Pier.
On August 10, 2026, Pattaya City Deputy Permanent Secretary Kiattisak Sriwongchai announced that six individuals—comprising three municipal officers and three outsourced workers—have been suspended from duty pending an investigation. This action follows public complaints from tourists, tour guides, and local business operators regarding incidents at Bali Hai Pier on August 9.
According to reports, individuals dressed in uniforms resembling Pattaya special affairs officers allegedly detained tourists for minor infractions, such as smoking or operating vehicles with loud exhaust pipes. The victims reported being coerced into paying fines ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 baht without receiving any official receipts or documentation.
City officials clarified that while municipal staff have the authority to apprehend individuals for violations, they lack the legal power to issue or collect fines on the spot. The city has initiated a two-week investigation into the matter, with plans to file criminal charges and permanently transfer the accused personnel out of the area.
For travelers and residents, this incident highlights the importance of verifying the identity of officials and requesting official documentation for any alleged fines. The city has issued a formal apology to the affected tourists. As the investigation is ongoing, the final disciplinary outcomes and the full extent of the alleged extortion scheme remain to be confirmed.