Undercover Operation Follows Complaints from Tourists and Locals
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at around 5:00 PM, Chonburi Immigration Police carried out a sting operation in Pattaya to bust a begging ring accused of exploiting children and people with disabilities.
The move came after multiple complaints from tourists and residents, who said the activities were tarnishing Pattaya’s image as a tourist destination.
Pattaya News reported that officers went undercover as tourists and patrolled busy areas in Pattaya, where they attracted large crowds.
There, they identified individuals begging for money while carrying children.
7 Cambodian Adults and 8 Young Girls Taken Into Custody
It is reported that police apprehended seven adults: five women and two men, all Cambodian nationals, Bangkok Post reported.
Eight young girls, aged between 3 and 10, were also found during the operation.
Authorities believe the children were being used to generate sympathy and increase donations from tourists.
Some Pretended to Have Physical Impairments
Some suspects were seen carrying multiple children, while others had disabilities or pretended to have physical impairments.
The group’s activities were concentrated in tourist zones, where they targeted both locals and tourists.
Group Earned Up to 500 Baht Daily Through Begging
The adults admitted to earning between 300 and 500 baht (approx. S$11-19) each day from begging.
The group lived together in rented rooms in Si Racha, Chonburi province, and travelled daily to Pattaya by shared taxis.
Some of the adults told police they had been living in Thailand for more than ten years, while some said their children were enrolled in local Thai schools.
Legal Action and Deportation Await the Suspects
Following this, the group was transferred to Pattaya City Police Station for legal processing.
According to reports, they face charges and will be deported after legal proceedings.
Police said further investigations are underway to identify whether a larger network is behind the operation.
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